I
951
The I is worthy of aversion when it is principally confined to the person who uses it.
—Pascal.
952
What am I?
Naught! But the effluence of Thy light divine
Pervading worlds, hath reached my bosom too.
Yes, in my spirit doth Thy spirit shine,
As shines the sunbeam in a drop of dew.
Naught! But I live, and on Hope's pinions fly
Eager toward Thy presence; for in Thee,
I live, and breathe, and dwell, aspiring high,
Even to the throne of Thy divinity.
I am, O God, and surely Thou must be!
—Sir John Bowring's translation of
Derzhavin's "Ode to God."
