TENNYSON'S “DE PROFUNDIS."

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2024, 19 August 1880, Page 4

TENNYSON'S “DE PROFUNDIS."

In the May number of the “ Nineteenth Century” the place of honor is assigned to a poem by Alfred Tennyson, entitled “ Da Profandia.” It occupies the greater part of four pages, is written in blank verse, and appears to be an invocation to some unknown and mysterious boy who seems to be evolved: "Out of the deep, my child, out of the deep Where ell that was to be in all that was Whirl’d from a million mans through the vast Waste, dawn of multitudinous eddying light. » * # « * * Our own, a babe in lineament and limb, Perfect and prophet of the perfect man, Whose face and form are hers and mine in

one, Indissolubly married like our love.” The boy is adjured to live and be happy in himself aud serve this mortal race, hie kin, so well that men may kiss him, as do. his progenitors, and so sway his course that eventually ho may “ with gentlest fall,” reach “that lost deep where we and thou are still.” This would appear to complete the first “greeting.” The second greeting is like unto it, but, if possible, is a trifle more incomprehensible. The “darling boy” is shrouded in still more mystery, and the two brief stanzas which compose the greeting abound with reference to the Creator and His great work. The third portion of the poem, entitled “ The Human Cry," would seem to have nothing to do with the former portions, nor with the boy. It is as follows: — “ Hallowed bo Thy name—halleluiah ! Infinite ideality ! Immeasurable reality! Infinite personality! Hallowed be thy name—halleluiah! We feel we are nothing—for all is Thou and in Thee; Wo feel we are something—that also has come from Thee! We are nothing, O Thou—but thou wilt help us to be. Hallowed be Thy name—halleluiah! ”