A Strong Son of Lightning

A strong son of lightning came down to the earth with fire-feet of swiftness, splendid;    Light was born in a womb and thunder's force filled a human frame. The calm speed of heaven, the sweet greatness, pure passion, winged power had descended;    All the gods in a mortal body dwelt, bore a single name. A wide wave of movement stirred all the dim globe in each glad and dreaming fold;    Life was cast into grandeur, ocean hands took the wheels of Time. Man's soul was again a bright charioteer of days hired by gods impetuous bold,    Hurled by One on His storm-winged ways, a shaft aimed at heights sublime. The old tablets clanging fell, ancient slow Nature's dead wall was rent asunder,    God renewed himself in a world of young beauty, thought and flame; Divine voices spoke on men's lips, the heart woke to white dawns of gleaming wonder,    Air a robe of splendour, breath a joy, life a godlike game. (From Collected Poems)