APPENDIX 406 



which all other facts are unimportant. It is variously envisaged 

 by successive generations, according to the tenor of their sensi- 

 bilities and the nature of their speculation. Was there ever, or is 

 there now, any other God but this ? 



The augmentation of knowledge only increases our sense of the 

 reality and inscrutability of Being. Science and Agnosticism are 

 therefore paths whereby we are brought back to religion under 

 forms adapted to present conceptions of the world we live in, and 

 of which we are a part. 



To these reflections I append (without fear of trespass) some 

 verses, in which the same thoughts have found emotional utterances. 

 They were suggested by the problems of death and doubtful immor- 

 tality, than which none other rack the heart of man in his impo- 

 tence and ignorance more cruelly : 



Since none returns to us upon the way 



Which leads through darkness to the land of light. 



What of that perilous journey can we say ? 



Nothing. We watch the frost of sickness blight 

 Our darlings : blood and nerve with age grow weak ; 

 And sleep prepares our soul for endless night. 



Were it not well to take our ease, nor seek 

 An answer to the question all will ask ? 

 Against the bars of pitiless death we break 



Those soaring wings, which no ethereal task 

 Of poet or of sage hath taught to stoop. 

 Surely 'twere well beneath the sun to bask, 



Like flowers to bloom, like flowers to fade and droop, 

 Drinking the dews of morning and of eve. 

 Bank after rank dim generations troop 



Down to the grave. The very rose we weave 

 Into a garland for the brow we love, 

 Has blood within it ; to the petals cleave 



The scent and hues of human clay. Above 

 Yon mountain tops, what once were tears distil 

 In fleecy rain, making the streams whereof 



Men drink. Oh, cease, with weak, persistent will 

 To storm the heights of nature. 'Tis enough 

 That living, suffering, we must climb the hill. 



Make the plain ways of life less stern and rough : 

 Build not cloud-castles on the inconstant air ; 

 Nor strive in vain to cast the viperous slough 



