Page:The songs that Quinte sang.djvu/54

50 Here at the glass I stand and wait
 * To meet that cold, proud gaze of thine,

Some questions I would put to thee,
 * So answer true, Soul of mine!

Lift up those clear, calm eyes to mine,
 * Calm eyes that search me thro’ and thro’,

And listen while I question thee,
 * O Soul of mine, and answer true.

Life is so full of mysteries
 * That are not understood by men.

So full of problems yet unsolved,
 * Too deep and vast for human ken.

Mine eyes, earth-blinded, vainly strive
 * To read each wondrous mystery,

But thou art heaven-born, they say,
 * O Soul! It must be plain to thee.

Then tell me, was it worth my while
 * To live thro’ all those dull, gray years,

With scarce a ray of joy or light
 * To lift the clouds of grief and tears.

When as a child I knew no wrong,
 * And hope within my heart beat high,

When faith in human kind was strong,
 * Soul! Were it not best to die?