Anguish and bliss ennoble: either proves
The greatness of its subject, and expands
Her nature into power; her every pulse
Beats into new-born force, urging her on
To conquering energy. Then was I cast
Into hot fires and flaming furnaces,
Deep in the hollow globe; there did I bum
Deathless in agony, without one murmur,
Longing to die, until my patient soul
Fainted into perfection; at that hour,
Being victorious, I was snatch'd away
To yet another lesson. I became
A date-tree in the desert, to pour out
My life in dumb benevolence, and full
Obedience to each wind of heaven that blew.
The traveller came—I gave him all my shade,
Asking for no reward; the lost bird flew
For shelter to my branches, and I hid
Her nest among my leaves; the sunbeams ask'd
To rest their hot and weary feet awhile
On me, and I spread out my every arm
T ' embrace them, fanning them with all my plumes.
Beneath my shade the dying pilgrim fell,
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