28.05.2007, 17:11
Transformation
"Give me the wine of happiness," I cried,
"The bread of life!— O ye benign, unknown,
Immortal powers!— I crave them for my own,
I am athirst, I will not be denied
Though Hell were up in arms!" No sound replied,
But, turning back to my rude board and lone,
My soul, confounded, there beheld— a stone,
Pale water in a shallow cup beside!
With gushing tears, in utter hopelessness,
I stood and gazed. Then rose a voice that spoke,—
"God gave this, too, and what He gives will bless!"
And 'neath the hands that trembling took and broke,
Lo, truly a sweet miracle divine,
The stone turned bread, the water ruby wine!
"Give me the wine of happiness," I cried,
"The bread of life!— O ye benign, unknown,
Immortal powers!— I crave them for my own,
I am athirst, I will not be denied
Though Hell were up in arms!" No sound replied,
But, turning back to my rude board and lone,
My soul, confounded, there beheld— a stone,
Pale water in a shallow cup beside!
With gushing tears, in utter hopelessness,
I stood and gazed. Then rose a voice that spoke,—
"God gave this, too, and what He gives will bless!"
And 'neath the hands that trembling took and broke,
Lo, truly a sweet miracle divine,
The stone turned bread, the water ruby wine!