Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By EdwinMarkham

1085 The Whirlwind Road

THE MUSES wrapped in mysteries of light

Came in a rush of music on the night;

And I was lifted wildly on quick wings,

And borne away into the deep of things.

The dead doors of my being broke apart;

A wind of rapture blew across the heart;

The inward song of worlds rang still and clear;

I felt the Mystery the Muses fear;

Yet they went swiftening on the ways un-trod,

And hurled me breathless at the feet of God.

I felt faint touches of the Final Truth,—

Moments of trembling love, moments of youth.

A vision swept away the human wall;

Slowly I saw the meaning of it all—

Meaning of life and time and death and birth,—

But cannot tell it to the men of Earth.

I only point the way, and they must go

The whirlwind road of song if they would know.