98
II.
HYMN TO GOD.
'Ω παντων επεκεινα · τι γαρ θεμις αλλο σε μελπειν;
(Dactylic hexameter.)
1.
O Thou, the One Supreme o'er all!2222Or, O Thou beyond the range of all--παντων επεκεινα.
For by what other name
May we upon Thy greatness call,
Or celebrate Thy fame?
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2
Ineffable! to Thee what speech
Can hymns of honour raise?
Ineffable! what tongue can reach
The measure of Thy praise?
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3.
99
How, unapproached, shall mind of man
Descry Thy dazzling throne;
And pierce, and find Thee out, and scan,
Where Thou dost dwell alone?
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4.
Unuttered Thou! all uttered things
Have had their birth from Thee:
The One unknown! from Thee the springs
Of all we know and see!
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5.
Mindful, and mindless, all things yield
To Thy parental sway
For Thou to all art life and shield:
They honour and obey.
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6.
For round Thee centre all the woes
Of night and darkling day,
The common wants and common throes;
And all to Thee do pray.
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7.
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And all things as they move along
In order fixed by Thee,
Thy watchword heed, in silent song
Hymning Thy majesty.
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8.
And lo! all things abide in Thee,
And through the complex whole,
Thou spread'st Thine own Divinity,
Thyself of all the goal.
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9.
One Being Thou, all things, yet none,
Nor one nor yet all things;
How call Thee, O mysterious One?
A worthy name who brings?
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10.
All-named from attributes Thine own,
How call Thee as we ought?
Thou art unlimited, alone,
Beyond the range of thought.
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11.
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What heaven-born intellect shall rend
The veiling clouds above?
Be Thou propitious! ever send
Bright tokens of Thy love!
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12.
O Thou the One Supreme o'er all!
For by what other name
May we upon Thy greatness call,
Or celebrate Thy fame?
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