“In the wide awe and wisdom of the night”

In the wide awe and wisdom of the night     I saw the round world rolling on its way, Beyond significance of depth or height,     Beyond the interchange of dark and day. I marked the march to which is set no pause,     And that stupendous orbit, round whose rim The great sphere sweeps, obedient unto laws     That utter the eternal thought of Him. I compassed time, outstripped the starry speed,     And in my still Soul apprehended space, Till weighing laws which these but blindly heed,     At last I came before Him face to face,— And knew the Universe of no such span As the august infinitude of man.