I asked of heaven and earth and sea, <br />Saying: 'O wondrous trinity, <br />Deign to make answer unto me, <br />And tell me truly what ye be.' <br />And they made answer: 'Verily, <br />The mask before His face are we, <br />Because 'tis writ no man can see <br />His face and live;'-so spake the three. <br />Then I: 'O wondrous trinity, <br />A mask is but a mockery- <br />Make answer yet again to me <br />And tell if aught besides are ye.' <br />And they made answer: 'Verily, <br />The robe around His form are we, <br />That sick and sore mortality <br />May touch its hem and healèd be.' <br />Then I: 'O wondrous trinity, <br />Vouchsafe once more to answer me, <br />And tell me truly, what is He <br />Whose very mask and raiment ye?' <br />But they replied: 'Of Time are we, <br />And of Eternity is He. <br />Wait thou, and ask Eternity; <br />Belike his mouth shall answer thee.'<br /><br />William Watson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-questioner/
