He pursues the awful theme, and asks whether the wish for an universal
restoration to life, does not spring from what is "likest God" in our own
souls, His unlimited goodwill towards men, which would have all come to a
knowledge of the truth?
"Are God and Nature then at strife?"
for we find Nature, whilst careful in preserving the type of each species,
utterly reckless of the separate members. We find, too, that out of
"fifty (_myriad_)[31] seeds" sown, only one perhaps germinates. He falters
and falls down
"Upon the great world's altar-stairs,[32]
That slope thro' darkness up to God;"--
but still he stretches forth "lame hands of faith"
"To what I feel is Lord of all,
And faintly trust the larger hope"--
the hope of a final restitution of all things.