Others abide our question. Thou art free. br We ask and ask--Thou smilest and art still, br Out-topping knowledge. For the loftiest hill, br Who to the stars uncrowns his majesty, br br Planting his steadfast footsteps in the sea, br Making the heaven of heavens his dwelling-place, br Spares but the cloudy border of his base br To the foil'd searching of mortality; br br And thou, who didst the stars and sunbeams know, br Self-school'd, self-scann'd, self-honour'd, self-secure, br Didst tread on earth unguess'd at.