Thekla's Answer by Matthew Arnold — Read

From Schiller / Where I am, thou ask'st, and where I wended / When my fleeting shadow pass'd from thee? --

Am I not concluded now, and ended?

Have not life and love been granted me?

Ask, where now those nightingales are singing, / Who, of late, on the soft nights of May, / Set thine ears with soul-fraught music ringing --

Only, while their love liv'd, lasted they.

Find I him, for whom I had to sever? --

Doubt it not, we met, and we are one.

There, where what is join'd, is join'd for ever, / There, where tears are never more to run.

There thou too shalt live with us together, / When thou too hast borne the love we bore: / There, from sin deliver'd, dwells my Father, / Track'd by Murder's bloody sword no more.

There he feels, it was no dream deceiving / Lur'd him starwards to uplift his eye: / God doth match his gifts to man's believing; / Believe, and thou shalt find the Holy nigh.

All thou augurest here of lovely seeming / There shall find fulfilment in its day: / Dare, O Friend, be wandering, dare be dreaming; / Lofty thought lies oft in childish play.