Jephthah and Other Mysteries

MYSTERIES: Winged with thought’s sharpest fires, Arrowed with soul’s desires And sped from thunder’s thong; Heaven's gates rock, rage, and quiver, Earth’s walls gape wide and shiver, While Freedom doth deliver Men’s spirits with thy song. Ah, chainless, distant, fleeting, To lands that know no sea, Where ocean’s stormy greeting Fills no man’s heart with glee ; Where lovers die or sever, And death destroys for ever And God bears slavery. Fly thither, so thou leave us That no man’s hand may reave us Of this—that we are free. Free all men that may heed thee, On freemen’s praises feed thee, Who chorus full, “ God speed thee, Live lyre of Liberty !” And me, ah! float above me Unseen in limpid air, Sing ever, “ Love me, love me,” Or ever I despair. The longings thou hast given With death and dust have striven And risen doubly fair.