To the Heavens above us

 

O look and behold

 

The Planets that love us

 

All harnessed in gold!

 

*What chariots, what horses*

 

*Against us shall bide*

 

*While the Stars in their courses*

 

*Do fight on our side?*

 

All thought, all desires,

 

That are under the sun,

 

Are one with their fires,

 

As we also are one:

 

All matter, all spirit,

 

All fashion, all frame,

 

Receive and inherit

 

Their strength from the same.

 

Oh, man that deniest

 

All power save thine own,

 

Their power in the highest

 

Is mightily shown.

 

Not less in the lowest

 

That power is made clear.

 

(Oh, man, if thou knowest,

 

What treasure is here!)

 

Earth quakes in her throes

 

And we wonder for why!

 

But the blind planet knows

 

When her ruler is nigh;

 

And, attuned since Creation

 

To perfect accord,

 

She thrills in her station

 

And yearns to her Lord.

 

The waters have risen,

 

The springs are unbound—

 

The floods break their prison,

 

And ravin around.

 

No rampart withstands ’em,

 

Their fury will last,

 

Till the Sign that commands ’em

 

Sinks low or swings past.

 

Through abysses unproven

 

O’er gulfs beyond thought,

 

Our portion is woven,

 

Our burden is brought.

 

Yet They that prepare it,

 

Whose Nature we share,

 

Make us who must bear it

 

Well able to bear.

 

Though terrors o’ertake us

 

We’ll not be afraid.

 

No Power can unmake us

 

Save that which has made:

 

Nor yet beyond reason

 

Or hope shall we fall—

 

All things have their season,

 

And Mercy crowns all!

 

Then, doubt not, ye fearful—

 

The Eternal is King—

 

Up, heart, and be cheerful,

 

And lustily sing:—

 

*What chariots, what horses*

 

*Against us shall bide*

 

*While the Stars in their courses*

 

*Do fight on our side?*