Yields, like her, sublime obedience And the godlike Sun, exhaling Wheels majestic evermore; Bearing with him to Orion All the worlds that round him shine, To complete the awful cycle Of a destiny divine. While the Stars and Constellations, Glowing in eternal light, Teach the Majesty of Order, And that LAW is Infinite. Is the immortal spirit freer, Proudly it disdains the shackles Of the frame to which it clings, And would fly to heights celestial Upon Love's angelic wings. But the hand of Law restrains it; Of the aspiring soul of man. FREEDOM AND LAW. Like the imprison'd lark, that carols It can see the sky, and gather It can see the waving branches And the scent of meadow flowers. But if it would strive to reach them, If the mind be less entrammel'd, Like the young rejoicing Eaglet, It may imp its virgin pinions By a flight towards the stars; High above the sterile Andes, Or the Himalayan snow, Breasting ether, robed in sunlight, Unimpeded it may go. But a Law has placed its limits, And to pass them should it dare, 189 Numbness falls upon its pinions, Such thy fate, terrestrial spirit ; Such thy freedom;-thou may'st soar To the empyrean summits, Where no mortal breathed before. But Infinitude surrounds thee; Thou must travel lower, lower,– There to judge of the unfathom'd Yet, oh soul! there's FREEDOM for thee; Is to suffer; but unfetter'd, Thou may'st spring to riper life, Purified from Hate and Evil, And Mortality and Strife. FREEDOM AND LAW. Death is gaoler; he'll release thee; If thou'rt worthy to be free. Death shall give thee wings to soar; Loving God, and knowing all things, Upwards springing evermore. 191 FOLLOW YOUR LEADER. THE STORY OF A LIFE. 'Follow your leader!' So said HOPE, Follow your leader!' So said Love, I followed to lift the challenging glove |