The Poetical Works of Bayard Taylor

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ... with one voice, Exclaimed: "But also these are mine!" The strife Was then, how potent were they, how observed,--Made manifest in life? One cannot say That such are needless, but their sacred stamp Comes from observance of all forms of law, Which here--the strength of Islam--was suppressed. Their wrangling--scarcely could it so be called!--Was o'er the husks: the kernel of the creed They first picked out, and flung it to the winds. I, pierced on every side with sorest stings, Waited uneasily the end delayed, When Hatem spake once more: his eye was bright, And the long beard that o'er his girdle rolled Shook as in storm. "Now, God be praised!" he cried: "God ever merciful, compassionate, Hath many children; these have many tongues: But of one blood are they, one truth they seek, One law of Loveand Justice fits them all. And they have many Prophets: may it be, Though not of like commission, in so far As they declare His truth, they speak for Him! Go past their histories: accept their souls, And whatsoe'er of perfect and of pure Is breathed from each, in each and all the same, Confirms the others' office and its own! Here is the centre of the moving wheel,--The point of rest, wherefrom the separate creeds Build out their spokes, that seem to chase and flee, Revolving in the marches of His Day! If one be weak, destroy it: if it bear Unstrained His glory of Eternal Truth, And firmer fibre from the ages gain. Behold, at last it shall replace the rest! Even as He wills 1 The bright solution grows Nearer and clearer with the whirling years: Till finally the use of outward signs Shall be outworn, the crumbling walls thrown down, And one Religion shall make glad the world!" More I could not endure: I did not wait For Hatem's coming, as h...