A Poem by Lionel Terry

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 October 1911, Page 2

A Poem by Lionel Terry

The follow ins verses. entitled ;• Faith Triumphant/' were recently written by Lionel 'lorry. the monomaniac, who is conl'med in the, Sminysido .Menial Hospital, Canterbury In the lightning I wa<s a Spirit in a boundless space. And all around, above me. and beneath A dreadful darkness reigned. It was : >,s though tho lionH; of All had perished. A dreary daikness, silent as Iho I oinb, And i'(i I (I, and hard, and harsh as frozen stone. Yet was I noi dismayed, for 1 had Life, And by the power of Reason T perceived. That since T lived my Maker also lived. Thus was T not alone, and thus 1 know Til rat over a"; the dreadful desolat ton Was God enthroned, -And s;> the Reason which inspired my Faith Seemed like a grand and steadfast light, wliicli shone AVitliin me. as the brightness of .a star Tn the blue brilliance of a frosty night: And though the darkness seemed to mock my Fnith. 71iis beacon gave me Courage, till at length • A mighty voice filled all the awful void. And rent the 'blackness with the great command : "Let there lie Light." Then hurst afar the splendour of the Sun, And Earth and Sky and Sea and joyful' .Life Became created for mine eyes to see. And all my fleshly senses to oil joy. And then in" fleshly form my Spirit pa : scxl Time after time through ages infinite." Lighting the paths of those \vh<w Fail'i wa;, .'lyiinr. And l<>;-i.rli'!.g multitudes bv Love i; 1 1d lLvrnn And still, tihi.i gh fools may cavil at my words,' And sr-:>k my dauntless Spirit to destroy A\ it'll shnmnul lies, imprisonment. and tortrre, .1 know mv Father reigneth over all And 1 will fio*ht through fortune good and ill. Until once n.'ore shall come the ..great con ma'nd : "Lot there he Light." September Sth. 1911.