Poems (Cary)/Luther

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LUTHER.
Oh ages! add with reverend light New splendors to the name of himWho fought for conscience a good fight, And sung for truth the morning hymn!
Who, when old sanctions like a flood Drove wrathful on, to work his fall,Put forth his single hand and stood Sublimer, mightier than they all.
Stood, from all precedent apart, The double challenge to prefer—A conflict with his own weak heart As well as with the powers that were.
Who spake, and, speaking, clave in twain The mocking symbols in his way;Who prayed, and scoffing tongues grew fain To pray the prayers they heard him pray.
Who, guided by a righteous aim, Enkindled with his mortal breathA beacon, on the cliffs of fame, That shines across the wastes of death;
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From cell to old cathedral height, From cowléd monk to vestal nun,As, through the cloudy realms of night, The fiery seams of daybreak run—
Till in the pilgrim's way, the reeds Like unto strong red cedars thrive,And free from wrappings of old creeds The corpse of thought stands up alive.
Gone from the watchings of the night, The wrestling might of lonely prayers;—Oh, ages! add your reverend light To the great glory that he bears!
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