Man is weaker and baser by nature than Thou hast believed him! By showing him so much respect, Thou didst, as it were, cease to feel for him, for Thou didst ask too much from him - Thou who hast loved him more than Thyself? Respecting him less, Thou wouldst have asked less of him. That would have been more like love, for his burden would have been lighter."
I had a dream which was not all a dream The sun was extinguished And the stars wandered darkling in space Rayless, and pathless And the icy Earth swung blind and blackened in the moonless air And men forgot their passions in the dread Of this their desolation; And all hearts were chilled into a selfish prayer for light: They did live by watchfires And the thrones of crowned kings Habitations of all things which dwell Were burnt for beacons Oh Lord, I lack the strength To turn and leave you There's no confidence In my hesitation Happy were those who dwelt in the eye of the volcanoes Their mountain-torch: A fearful hope was all the world contained Forests were set on fire But hour by hour they fell and faded The crackling trunks extinguished with a crash - And all was black The brows of men by the despairing light wore an unearthly aspect The flashes fell upon them; Some lay down and hid their eyes And some did rest Their chins upon their clenched hands, and smiled And vipers crawled And twined themselves among the multitude Hissing, but stingless They were slain for food A meal was bought with blood And each sate apart Gorging himself in gloom: No love was left