The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-05-14
BLOOMSBURY, Pa, FRIDAY, MAY IA. 1875.
POetical.
GO D..

tThe following poem is from the Russian AntholC
gy, and was written by the celebrated Derzhavir
This poem is said to be translated into japanese,
order Of the emperor, and Is hung up, embroidcre
in gold, In the temple Of JeddO. 1t has also bee
translated into the Chinese and Tartar languages
written on piece OF rich silk, and suspended In tn
imperial palace at Pekin. 1t is u noble composition
worthy OF all these honorsl
o thou Eternal one whose presence bright
All space doth occupy-all motions guide
Unchanged through Times all devastating Hight
Thou only God There Is no God beside.
Being above all beings! Mighty one
Whom none can comprehend aud none explore;
Who filled existence with myself alone,
Embracing -suppOrting-rung Ger
Being whom we call God md know no more
In all It's sublime research, Philosophy
MAY measure out tue ocean deep-nay count
The san1S or the suns rays-but God, for Thee
There IS no weight nor measure; none can mount
To Ihy m{9t,rles Reasons brightest spark,
m Tho1{G KIN lea 6y y Sh1 In aN yIn you'd try
And tnJI sht Is lost ere thought can soar so high,
Even Tia. past moments In eternity.
Thou from primeyal nothlngness dldst call
=. First chaos; then eNstence-Lord on Thee
Eternity had It's foundation; all
sprung forth from rhee-Of light, Joy, harmony,
Sole orlgin-ali, all beauty Thine;
tiny word created al and doth create;
Thy splendor nils all space with rays divine,
Thou art, thou vert, and shall be glorious great
Life-gving, life-su5taining Po:entate!
Thy chains the unmeasurd universe surround,
Upheld by Thee, by Thee inspired with breath!
Thou the beginning with the end mast bound
And beautifully mingled life with death
AS sparks mount upward from the fiery blaze,
SO suns are BORN 80 worlds spring forth from
Thee!
And as the spangles In the sunny rays
Shine round the silver snow, the pagenantry
or Heavens bright army gllttcrs In Thy praise.
A million torches by Thy hand,
Wander through the blue abyss;
IA NtAr tlh OTn
All gay with life, all eloquent with bliss.
What shall We call them? Piles Oi crystal light
glorious company Of golden strcams
Lamps OF celestial ether burning bright?
suns lightning systems with their Joyous beams?
But Thou to these art as the moon to night
Yes as drop OF water In the sea,
All this magniCenCc to Thee Is lost!
What are ten thousand worlds compared to Thee?
And what am then? Heavens numbered host,
Though multiplied by millions and arrayd
In all the glory OF suOlinest thought,
Is but an atom In the balance; weighed
Against Thy greatnes is CIPHER brought
Against inlnty! What am then2 Nought
Nougbt but the eniuence OF thy light divine,
Pervading worlds, hath reached my bosom, too;
Yes, In nv spirit both Thy spirit shine,
so shines the sunbeam IN Il drop OF dew
Nought but live, and on hopes plnions ly
Eager toward Thy presence; for In Thee
live, breathe, and dwell aspiring high,
Even to the throne Of Thy divinity.
am, . God! and surely THOU MUST BE!
Thou art direct, guiding all, Thou art.
Direct my understanding then to Thee;
Control my spirit, guide my wandering heart;
Though but an atom midst mnensity,
still am something fashioned by Thy hand
hold middle rank twixt heaven and earth,
On the last verge OF mortal being stand,
Close to the realnnS where angels have their birth
Just on the boundaries Of the spirit land