Matthew Arnold (1822–88). The Poems of Matthew Arnold, 1840–1867. 1909.
Empedocles on Etna, and Other PoemsRevolutions
B
While yet upon the verge of heaven he stood,
God put a heap of letters in his hand,
And bade him make with them what word he could.
Rome, England, France:—yes, nor in vain essay’d
Way after way, changes that never cease.
The letters have combin’d: something was made.
Haunts him that he has not made what he should.
That he has still, though old, to recommence,
Since he has not yet found the word God would.
Of sway, have felt this boding sense come on.
Have felt their huge frames not constructed right,
And droop’d, and slowly died upon their throne.
The word, the order, which God meant should be.—
Ah, we shall know that well when it comes near:
The band will quit Man’s heart:—he will breathe free.