Francis Ellingwood Abbot (1836–1903)

THOU Soul that overlightest mine!

That with Thy solar blaze divine

Quenchest the firefly’s timid shine!

Shall Thy vast lustre be my night?

A spark burns here,—and light is light;

I am of Thee, O Infinite!

For Thou and I are next of kin;

The pulses that are strong within,

From the deep Infinite heart begin.

Thou art my All,—but what am I?

A flickering hope, a passionate sigh

Exhaled upon the kindred sky.

Ah, not in vain the cry shall be!

In these poor shoots of flame I see

A burning effluence from Thee;

And tending towards Thee ever higher,

Their hearts shall evermore aspire

To mix with Thee, Empyreal Fire!