Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN THE BEGINNING, by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907)


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN THE BEGINNING, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: How first did the cosmical order
Last Line: And thy great orbs are lost in the void, and thy universe uncreate!
Subject(s): Creation


HOW first did the Cosmical Order cohere from the voids of space?
What was the secret law of its being, or fashion of birth?
What bound the compacted atoms in numberless Suns, as in Earth,
Till the young orbs circled for ever, each in its place?

What else than a vibrant thrill, which throbbed from the central brain,
Pulsing through limitless space with a silent harmonious beat,
Keeping the rhythm unchanged of some weird and mystical strain,
Till the synchronous waves of the ether grew one, and the Worlds complete.

Even as by a vibrant note, when the film or the sand is stirred,
The separate atoms cohere in the form of a perfect flower,
The Ineffable Spirit at first, the Eternal Infinite Word,
Breathed, and the Universe blossomed in perfectness under its power.

Still the great World's symphony sounds, if only our souls might hear;
Still, to a mystical music, the suns in their courses ring;
Still, by secret rhythms unheard, are ruled the revoluble spheres,
And together as at the first the stars of the morning sing.

Oh, mighty inaudible music which holdest and governest all,
Sound, sound on our mortal ears thy note of heavenly rest,
On our warring, discordant souls let Thy gracious harmonies fall,
Till our inmost recesses of being are filled with Thy voice and are blest.

And when Thy compelling Will, unseen Creator, is done,
Let Thy Seraph peal a new note at dawn from Thy heavenly gate,
Till Thy Cosmical Order dispels, like a mist in the rising sun,
And Thy great orbs are lost in the void, and Thy Universe uncreate!





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