Within the soul are throned two powers,
Named Love and Hate. Begot of these,
And veiled between, a presence towers,
The shadowy Keeper of the Keys.
With wild command or calm persuasion
This one may argue, that compel:
Vain are concealment and evasion—
For each he opens Heaven and Hell.
YOUTH
I
Morn’s mystic rose is reddening on the hills;
Dawn’s irised nautilus makes glad the sea;
There is a lyre of flame that throbs and fills
Far heaven and earth with hope’s wild ecstasy.—
With lilied field and grove,
Haunts of the turtle-dove,
Here is the land of Love.
II
The chariot of the noon makes blind the blue
As towards the goal his burning axle glares;
There is a fiery trumpet thrilling through
Wide heaven and earth with deeds of one who dares.—
With peaks of splendid name,
Wrapped round with astral flame,
Here is the land of Fame.
III
The purple priesthood of the evening waits
With golden pomp within the templed skies;
There is a harp of worship at the gates
Of heaven and earth that bids the soul arise.—
With columned cliffs and long
Vales, music breathes among,
Here is the land of Song.