Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Henry JeromeStockard

1325 As Some Mysterious Wanderer of the Skies

AS some mysterious wanderer of the skies,

Emerging from the deeps of outer dark,

Traces for once in human ken the arc

Of its stupendous curve, then swiftly flies

Out through some orbit veiled in space, which lies

Where no imagination may embark,—

Some onward-reaching track that God did mark

For all eternity beneath his eyes,—

So comes the soul forth from Creation’s vast;

So clothed with mystery moves through mortal sight;

Then sinks away into the Great Unknown.

What systems it hath seen in all the past,

What worlds shall blaze upon its future flight

Thou knowest, eternal God, and thou alone!