Colour and Light.

THE word unto the nations came,
And shone o’er many a darkened spot,
The pure white lustre of the flame
The darkness comprehended not;

Till broken into coloured light
Within the prism of the mind,
It traced upon the murky night
A rainbow-arch with hues defined.

And where the narrowed sunbeams turned
To colours all distinct, yet blended;
Thoughts glanced and struggling instincts yearned,
The darkness dimly comprehended.

When shall the pure ethereal fire
Glow with a white interior heat?
When shall the truth of God inspire
The shaping soul with light complete?

Never, until a second youth
Renews the world—then may we see
The Primal Light—the unbroken Truth,
And gather life eternally!