Rougher than Death the road I choose br Yet shall my feet not walk astray, br Though dark, my way I shall not lose br For this way is the darkest way. br br Set but a limit to the loss br And something shall at last abide br The blood-stained beams that form the cross br The thorns that crown the crucified; br br But who shall lose all things in One, br Shut out from heaven and the pit br Shall lose the darkness and the sun br The finite and the infinite; br br And who shall see in one small flower br The chariots and the thrones of might br Shall be in peril from that hour br Of blindness and the endless night; br br And who shall hear in one short name br Apocalyptic thunders seven br His heart shall flicker like a flame br Twixt hell’s gates and the gates of heaven. br br For I have seen your body’s grace, br The miracle of the flowering rod, br And in the beauty of your face, br The glory of the face of God, br br And I have heard the thunderous roll br Clamour from heights of prophecy br Your splendid name, and from my soul br Uprose the clouds of minstrelsy. br br Now I have chosen in the dark br The desolate way to walk alone br Yet strive to keep alive one spark br Of your known grace and grace unknown. br br And when I leave you lest my love br Should seal your spirit’s ark with clay, br Spread your bright wings, O shining dove,— br But my way is the darkest way.