Observations placeholder
Nichols, Robert – From Such was my Singing – At Forth Faring
Identifier
021685
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Nichols, Robert – From Such was my Singing
AT FORTH-FARING
Myriad is the race of mortals,
Myriad are the paths they tread
Or across the wildwood hollow
Or the mountain's whirlwind head
Ere beneath the lampless portals
Silence beckons and they follow
Hermes, Shepherd of the Dead.
Wise is he, who at forth-faring
Brims with wine the figured bowl
And invokes that god to guide him,
Who is master of his soul;
Then, when prostrate and despairing,
He shall find a god beside him
And shall stand up strong and whole.
Many are the gods and many
Visit man in deep disguise.
Narrow then the contemplation
Of your god-discovering eyes;
Better choose no god than any
Shares with other your libation
Or with head averse complies.
But, if godhead should evade you,
Spill the wine and to the dews,
Clouds and deeps and heavenly marches
Breathe whatever prayer you use.
He who made you, he will aid you;
Zeus like heaven, all over-arches
And the prayer itself is Zeus.