The Hymn Of Man

I was,

And I am.

So shall I be to the end of time,

For I am without end.

I have cleft the vast spaces of the infinite, and

Taken flight in the world of fantasy, and drawn nigh

To the circle of light on high.

Yet behold me a captive of matter.

I have hearkened to the teachings of Confucius,

And listened to the wisdom of Brahma, and sat

Beside the Buddha beneath the tree of knowledge.

Behold me now contending with ignorance and

Unbelieving.

I was upon Sinai when the Lord showed Himself

To Moses. By the Jordan I beheld the Nazarene's

Miracles. In Medina I heard the words of the

Apostle of Arabia.

Behold me now a prisoner of doubt.

I have seen Babylon's strength and Egypt's glory

And the greatness of Greece. My eyes cease not

Upon the smallness and poverty of their works.

I have sat with the witch of Endor and the priests

Of Assyria and the prophets of Palestine, and I cease

Not to chant the truth.

I have learned the wisdom that descended on

India, and gained mastery over poetry that welled

From the Arabian's heart, and hearkened to the

Music of people from the West.

Yet am I blind and see not; my ears are stopped

And I do not hear.

I have borne the harshness of insatiable

Conquerors, and felt the oppression of tyrants and the

bondage of the powerful.

Yet am I strong to do battle with the days.

All this have I heard and seen, and I am yet a

Child. In truth shall I hear and see the deeds of

Youth, and grow old and attain perfection and

Return to God.

I was,

And I am.

So shall I be to the end of time,

For I am without end.