Contents -Volume INDEX -AUTHOR INDEX -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

Fate, or God?

By Paul Hamilton Hayne (1830–1886)

BEYOND the record of all eldest things,

Beyond the rule and regions of past time,

From out Antiquity’s hoary-headed rime,

Looms the dread phantom of a King of kings:

Round His vast brows the glittering circlet clings

Of a thrice royal crown; behind Him climb,

O’er Atlantean limbs and breast sublime,

The sombre splendors of mysterious wings;

Deep calms of measureless power, in awful state,

Gird and uphold Him; a miraculous rod,

To heal or smite, arms His infallible hands:

Known in all ages, worshipped in all lands,

Doubt names this half-embodied mystery—Fate,

While Faith, with lowliest reverence, whispers—God!