40
THE ALTAR OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS
Many a live God's likeness woven, many a scripture
dark with awe,
Bids the veil seem verier iron than the word of life's
own law.
Till the might of change hath rent it with a rushing
wind in twain,
Stone or steel it seems, whereon the wrath of chance is
wreaked in vain:
Stone or steel, and all behind it or beyond its lifted
sign
Cloud and vapour, no subsistence of a change-
unstricken shrine.
God by god flits past in thunder, till his glories turn to
shades:
God to god bears wondering witness how his gospel
flames and fades.
More was each of these, while yet they were, than man
their servant seemed:
Dead are all of these, and man survives who made
them while he dreamed.
