EARTH AND SKY. 33 



eye that rests upon it. No dead mechanism moves 

 the stars, or lifts the tides, or calls the flowers from 

 their sleep ; truly this is the garment of Deity, 

 and here is the awful splendor of the Perpetual 

 Presence. It is the old story of the Greek Proteus 

 translated into universal speech. It is the song of 

 the Persian poet : 



The sullen mountain, and the bee that hums, 



A flying joy, about its flowery base, 

 Each from the same immediate fountain comes, 



And both compose one evanescent race . 



There is no difference in the texture fine 



That s woven through organic rock and grass, 



And that which thrills man s heart in every line, 

 As o er its web God s weaving fingers pass. 



The timid flower that decks the fragrant field, 

 The daring star that tints the solemn dome, 



From one propulsive force to being reeled ; 

 Both keep one law and have a single home. ; 



