Harmonies (Howe collection)/Proportion

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PROPORTION
There rose a star above the hill
  Across the bay;
Through the night-spaces vast and still
  Shone the great ray;
Beneath it glowed a lesser light
  By mortal lit,
Yet through the dark a path as bright
  Led back to it.

Here in the day a bird flies by,
  Above the trees;
On other vision bent, mine eye
  Unheeding sees.
Was it a distant eagle's wing
  That clove the blue,
 ​Or some near insect harvesting
  The honey's dew?

If eyes deceive, then let my soul
  See clear and straight;
Through all appearance, part and whole
  Stand separate!
Know, soul, what things are near, what far;
  Sift great from small;
Seize, soul,—whate'er the visions are,—
  The truth in all.

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