ON SEEING THE DIABUTSU—AT KAMAKURA, JAPAN

Long have I searched, cathedral shrine, and hall,

To find a symbol, from the hand of art,

That gave the full expression (not a part)

Of that ecstatic peace which follows all

Life’s pain and passion. Strange it should befall

This outer emblem of the inner heart

Was waiting far beyond the great world’s mart—

Immortal answer, to the mortal call.

Unknown the artist, vaguely known his creed:

But the bronze wonder of his work sufficed

To lift me to the heights his faith had trod.

For one rich moment, opulent indeed,

I walked with Krishna, Buddha, and the Christ,

And felt the full serenity of God.

The Englishman and Other Poems · 第 27 / 71 题