POETRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3589, 11 October 1879, Page 3

POETRY.

DESIRE,

Bv Matthew Arnold, Thou, who dost dwell alone, Thon, who dost know thine own, Thon, to whom all things are knowu From the cradle to tho grave, Save, oh save ! From the world's temptations ; From tribulations; From that fierce anguish Wherein we languish ; From that torpor deep Wherein wo lie asleep Heavy as death, cold as the grave; Save, oh gave 1 When the soul, growing clearer, Sees God no nearer ; When tho soul, mounting higher. To God comes no n ; gher, But the arch-fiend Pride Mounts at her fiido, Foiling her high enprise, . dealing her eagle eyes, Aud, whon sho fain would soar, Makes idols to adore, Changing the pnro emotion OC hor high devotion To a skis-deep sense Of hor own eloquence ; Strong to deceive, strong to enslave— Savo, oh eavo ! From the ingrain'd fashion Of this earthly nature That mara Thy creature ; From griof that is bat paseiou, From mirth that is but feigning, From tears that bring no healing. From wild and weak complaining; Thine old strength revealing, Save, oh save ! From doubt, where all is double, Where wise men aro not strong ; Where comfort turns to trouble ; Where just mon suffer wrong ; Where sorrow treads on joy j Where sweet things soonest cloy ; Whero faiths are built on dust, Wbcre love is half mistrust, Hungry nnd barren, and sharp as the sea— Oh, sot us free ! Oh let tho false dream fly Whero our sick souls do Ho, Tossing continually ! O where Thy voice doth come Let all doubts be dumb; Let all words he mild, All strife be reconciled. All pains beguiled. Light bring no blindness, Love no utikindnesa ; Knowledge no ruin. Fear no undoing. From the cradle to tho grave, Savo, oh save I