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eureka.
Impatient Goliath is striding to battle;
My foes are but pygmies to-day;
"Eureka!" I shout, while the war-thunders rattle,—
The victor rides forth from the fray.
"Eureka!" why falters my tongue at the word?
Chimæra yields not to a mortal's dull sword.
Lo, giants arise from the blood of the slain!
Alike were the search and the struggle in vain.
My foes are but pygmies to-day;
"Eureka!" I shout, while the war-thunders rattle,—
The victor rides forth from the fray.
"Eureka!" why falters my tongue at the word?
Chimæra yields not to a mortal's dull sword.
Lo, giants arise from the blood of the slain!
Alike were the search and the struggle in vain.
Now bring my good staff, for the pilgrim sees yonder
A Mecca, an altar of rest.
Beside that calm shrine I will seat me and ponder,
And be in my solitude blest.
There Peace shall bend over me, Peace, the white angel
And Love, with her warm brooding wings.
Eureka! I hear it—a soothing evangel—
'Tis gentle Reflection that sings.
Still cheated! Ixion still grasps at a cloud.
The white robe of Peace,—it is only a shroud!
My Mecca I leave; all in vain have I sought
The garden, the battle, the shrine; —they are naught
A Mecca, an altar of rest.
Beside that calm shrine I will seat me and ponder,
And be in my solitude blest.
There Peace shall bend over me, Peace, the white angel
And Love, with her warm brooding wings.
Eureka! I hear it—a soothing evangel—
'Tis gentle Reflection that sings.
Still cheated! Ixion still grasps at a cloud.
The white robe of Peace,—it is only a shroud!
My Mecca I leave; all in vain have I sought
The garden, the battle, the shrine; —they are naught
Now pausing, a wanderer restless yet weary,
"Seek! seek!" how it sounds, like a moan!
"Seek! seek!" how it sounds, like a moan!
