THE INNER LIFE. 61 



ing eternity but the forms all radiant of beloved persons." The 

 moment the soul is assured of its acceptance to this universal realm, 

 it acquires a new life, and a beaming satisfaction. Plato says, 

 " lookest thou at the stars ? If I were heaven with all the eyes of 

 heaven would I look down on thee," and to the soul which is conscious 

 of its high regard for the plain and solid beauty of its presentiments, 

 the whole universe becomes but the speaking semblance of itself, and 

 the bond of union between it and those it holds most dear. 



All that the poet can teach us is his OAvn impotency to express 

 adequately the sentiments and feelings which surround us with each 

 pulsing of the soft air, and with each echo of the wheeling sky. This 

 power which abides within us is higher than intellect, more potent 

 than will, and works through every fibre of our living hearts for good 

 and beautiful purposes. It is the living soul of the world, the Alpha 

 and Omega of this passing life, the primum mobile of all the virtues, 

 and the vital force of all heroic actions. It is a power above the 

 bolts and bars of thought, and fills up the space between the earth and 

 heaven. It endows us with the rose of immortality, and gathers 

 round us all the moments of the past and future : it can crowd a 

 whole eternity into one hour, one single hour of immeasurable bliss. 



