Gerard Manley Hopkins

The Half-way House

Love I was shewn upon the mountain-side
And bid to catch Him ere the drop of day.
See, Love, I creep and Thou on wings dost ride:
Love it is evening now and Thou away;
Love, it grows darker here and Thou art above;
Love, come down to me if Thy name be Love.

My national old Egyptian reed gave way;
I took of vine a cross-barred rod or rood.
Then next I hungered: Love when here, they say,
Or once or never took love’s proper food;
But I must yield the chase, or rest and eat. –
Peace and food cheered me where four rough ways meet.

Hear yet my paradox: Love, when all is given,
To see Thee I must [see] Thee, to love, love;
I must o’ertake Thee at once and under heaven
If I shall overtake Thee at last above.
You have your wish; enter these walls, one said:
He is with you in the breaking of the bread.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889) was a Jesuit priest who burned much of his early work and was highly self-critical. He published very few poems while alive, believing his innovative style (known as “sprung rhythm”) was too unconventional for Victorian readers. It was only thanks to the dedicated efforts of his friend Robert Bridges that his work was preserved and published after his death.