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Ranolf and Amohia

VI

VI.

So, as we said, still high and clear forth stood,
For this inquirer's cheery thought and mood,
God and the great predominance of Good;
So could his heart retain its joyous tone;
Run, over in a worship of its own;
Nor, as the taper's wax in wintry room
Melts, but congeals in winding-sheets of gloom,
Would for a moment feel its fervid flow
Chilled by keen Scepticism's cheerless page,
Or the cold spirit of a critical age
Into ill-omened dreams of hopeless woe.
If, in an argument it e'er befell
His reason baffled, made a feebler stand,
His haughty senses settled it off-hand,
page 61 Perhaps with greater reason—who can tell?
Once when, with pro's and con's eternal tired,
Some good materialist had talked him dead—
"Here try this lovely disputant—I smell
God's goodness in this damask rose," he said;
"O listen to the luscious miracle!
With such convincing fragrance 'tis inspired.
With such an eloquent glow—with hues so rare
And useless—arguments beyond compare,
Its crimson beauty burns upon the air!"