Was the task illusory?

Is this beatitude but the complacency of self-expansion?

Or does the real, perfect formally,

yet claim for its justification and fulfilment admiration?

As a man’s love transmutes a woman,

kindling her features with an inner radiance,

does mind’s worship transfigure the world?

Chapter 8

THE MODERN WORLD

1. PAUL UNDERTAKES HIS TASK