ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

First life on my sources

First drifted and swam ; Out of me are the forces That save it or damn ;

Out of me man and woman, and wild-beast and bird: before God was, I am.

Beside or above me

Naught is there to go ; Love or unlove me,

Unknow me or know,

I am that which unloves me and loves ; I am stricken, and I am the blow.

I the mark that is miss'd

And the arrows that miss, I the mouth that is kiss'd

And the breath in the kiss,

The search, and the sought, and the seeker, the soul and the body that is.

I am that thing which blesses

My spirit elate; That which caresses

With hands un create

My limbs unbegotten that measure the length of the measure of fate.

But what thing dost thou now,

Looking Godward, to cry,

• I am I, thou art thou,

I am low, thou art high*?

I am thou, whom thou seekest to find him ; find thou but thyself, thou art I.

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