The Hound of Heaven (excerpt)

I fled Him down the nights and down the days

I fled Him down the arches of the years

I fled Him down the labyrinthine ways

Of my own mind, and in the midst of tears

I hid from him, and under running laughter.

Up vistaed hopes I sped and shot precipitated

Adown titanic glooms of chasmed fears

From those strong feet that followed, followed after

But with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace,

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

They beat, and a Voice beat,

More instant than the feet:

All things betray thee who betrayest me.

I pleaded, outlaw-wise by many a hearted casement,

curtained red, trellised with inter-twining charities,

For though I knew His love who followed,

Yet was I sore adread, lest having Him,

I should have nought beside.

Across the margent of the world I fled,

And troubled the gold gateways of the stars,

Smiting for shelter on their clanged bars.

I said to Dawn - be sudden, to Eve - be soon,

With thy young skiey blossoms heap me over

From this tremendous Lover.

Still with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

Came on the following feet, and a Voice above their beat:

Nought shelters thee who wilt not shelter Me.

Naked, I wait thy Love's uplifted stroke.

My harness, piece by piece, thou'st hewn from me

And smitten me to my knee,

I am defenceless, utterly.

Halts by me that footfall:

Is my gloom, after all,

Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?

Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,

I am He whom thou seekest!

Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me.