| |
| WHEN I come back from secret dreams | |
| In gardens deep and fair, | |
| How very curious it seems— | |
| This mortal name I bear. | |
| |
| For by this name I make their bread | 5 |
| And trim the household light | |
| And sun the linen for the bed | |
| And close the door at night. | |
| |
| I wonder who myself may be, | |
| And whence it was I came— | 10 |
| Before the Church had laid on me | |
| This frail and earthly name. | |
| |
| My sponsors spake unto the Lord | |
| And three things promised they, | |
| Upon my soul with one accord | 15 |
| Their easy vows did lay. | |
| |
| My ancient spirit heard them not. | |
| I think it was not there. | |
| But in a place they had forgot | |
| It drank a starrier air. | 20 |
| |
| Yes, in a silent place and deep— | |
| There did it dance and run, | |
| And sometimes it lay down to sleep | |
| Or sprang into the sun. | |
| |
| The Priest saw not my aureole shine! | 25 |
| My sweet wings saw not he! | |
| He graved me with a solemn sign | |
| And laid a name on me. | |
| |
| Now by this name I stitch and mend, | |
| The daughter of my home, | 30 |
| By this name do I save and spend | |
| And when they call, I come. | |
| |
| But oh, that Name, that other Name, | |
| More secret and more mine! | |
| It burns as does the angelic flame | 35 |
| Before the midmost shrine. | |
| |
| Before my soul to earth was brought | |
| Into God’s heart it came, | |
| He wrote a meaning in my thought | |
| And gave to me a Name. | 40 |
| |
| By this Name do I ride the air | |
| And dance from star to star, | |
| And I behold all things are fair, | |
| For I see them as they are. | |
| |
| I plunge into the deepest seas, | 45 |
| In flames I, laughing, burn. | |
| In roseate clouds I take my ease | |
| Nor to the earth return. | |
| |
| It is my beauteous Name—my own— | |
| That I have never heard. | 50 |
| God keeps it for Himself alone, | |
| That strange and lovely word. | |
| |
| God keeps it for Himself—but yet | |
| You are His voice, and so | |
| In your heart He is calling me, | 55 |
| And unto you I go. | |
| |
| Love, by this Name I sing, and breathe | |
| A fresh, mysterious air. | |
| By this I innocently wreathe | |
| New garlands for my hair. | 60 |
| |
| By this Name I am born anew | |
| More beautiful, more bright. | |
| More roseate than angelic dew, | |
| Apparelled in delight. | |
| |
| I’ll sing and stitch and make the bread | 65 |
| In the wonder of my Name, | |
| And sun the linen for the bed | |
| And tend the fireside flame. | |
| |
| By this Name do I answer yes— | |
| Word beautiful and true. | 70 |
| By this I’ll sew the bridal dress | |
| I shall put on for you. | |
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