The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-09-22
GOD


The following sublime ode 70 the Deity is
Rom the Russian anthology, and was written
oy the celebrated Derzhaven. This poem Is
said to have been translated into Japanese by
order OF the emperor, and is hung up, EN-.
broidered in gold. in the temple OF Jcddo. II
mas also been translated into the Chinese and
Tartar languages written on piece of rich silk,
and suspended In the imperial palace ut Pekin.
II was translated into the English as follows,
by DR.. Bowring, and Is said 10 have lost much
OF its original beauty by translation. 1t is q
noble composition, and should be preserved
and committed 10 memory by every reader:
o, Thou Eternal One! whose presence bright
Ali space doth occupy, all motion guide;
Unchanged through Times all devastating
fight,
Thou only God. There is no God beside!
Being above all beings. mighty onel
Whom none can comprehend and none explore,
Who fll'st existence with myself alone
Embracing all-supporting-ruling Ger
Beng whom we call God-now and ever more
In its sublime research, philosophy
May measure out the ocean deep-may count
The sands or the suns rays-bnt God! for Thee
There is no weight nor measure-none can
mount
Up 10 Thy mysteries: Reasons brightest spark,
Though kindled by Thy light, In vain may Try
70 trace Thy counsels, infinite and dark;
And thought is lost e'er thought eau soar 60
high,
Rven like past moments in eternity.
Thou from primeysl nothinguess dds call
First, chaOs-then eXistence-Lord, on Thee
Eternity had its fouudation-all
Sprang forth from Thee--light, joy, harmony,
Sole original life, all beauty Thine.
Thy word created all and doth create;
Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine.
Thou art. and vert, and shall be Glorious.
Great,
Life-giving, DEMONSTRATING Potentatei
Thy chains the unmessured Universe sur.
round
Upheld by Thee, by Thee inspired with breath
Thou the beginning with the end has hound,
And beautifully ming led life and DEATH
As sparks mount upward from the fiery blaze,
SO suns are porn, so worlds spring forth from
Thee;
And as the spangles in the sunny rays
Shine round the silver snow, the pageantry
or Heavens bright army. glitters in Thy praise.
A million torches, lighted by Thy hand,
They own Thy power, accomplish Thy COM
mand,
All gay with life, ana eloquent with bliss,
What shall we call them, Piles of crystal
light:
glorious company of golden streAInsf
Lamps OF celestial ether, burning brightly
Suns lighting systems with their JOY bus beams
But Thou 10 these art as the moon to night!
Yet, rs a drop of ware, in the sea,
All this magnihcence in Thee L. lost.
What are ten thousand worlds compared 10
Thee.
And what am l, then. Heavens unnnmbered
host,
Though multiplied by myrIads, and srrayed
In all the glory Of sublimest thought
Is but an atom Ia the balance, weighed
Against Thy greatness, Is CIPHER brought
Against lnhnity. What am |, Then: nOughtl
Noughi.-But the efiuenee OF Thy light, divine
Prevailing worlds hath reached my bosom too
Yes, in my spirit dOst Thy spirit shine,
As shines the sunbeams in drop of dew.
Nought! but ] live, and on Hopes pinions ny
Eager toward Thy presence; for il Thee
| live, and breathe, and dwell; aspiring high,
Even to the throne OF Thy divinity,
l am, o, God! and surely Thou mnst he.
| Thou art directing, guiding all, Thou art.
Direct my understanding then, TO Thee;
Control my spirit. guide my wandering heart
| Though but an atom midst imneIsiIy,
Still I am something, fashioned ny Thy hsud
| l hold middle rnuk 'twixt heaven aud earth
On the verge OF mortal being stand
Close 10 the realms where angels have theil
| birth,
just GU Inv boundary of the Split and
| The chain nt being j. completely iD ME:
/ In me IL matters last graduation lost,
| And the naNI step is spirit-Deiiy
Il Command tho Lightning, aud am dnst.
| A monarch. and -laVe-e worm, God!
| Whence came | here: and how 80 maryeiOusl
! Constructed and conceived: unknown this elo(
| Lives snrtly through some h CHER energy,
| For from it-cif alone Il coutd not be.
| Creator, Yes, Thy wisdom and Thy word
| Created me. Thon source of life and good
| Thou spirit OF my spirit. and my Lord!
| Thy light, Thy love, and their bright plentiIudi
| Filled me with an immortal sonl, to spring
| Over the Abyss of Death, and babe 1t wear
The garments of eternal DAY, and wing
| Its heavenly flight beyond this little sphere,
| Even 10 its source-tO Thee-its Author there
/ o thought ineffable! o vision bIest
| Though worthless our conceptions all of Thee
| Yet shall Thy Swallowed image I'LL our breasts,
| And with 1t, homage to the Deity.
| God. thus above my lowly thoughts can soar;
Midst Thy vast works admire, obey, adore;
| And when tho tongue Is eloquent no more,
| The soul shall speak in tears OF gratitude.