Via Lucis

Via Lucis

Where comest thou, O child of earth!
   With eager and wistful eyes?

Hither I come from the Land of Mirth,
   Where Pleasures is all they prize.

Whither art wending, maiden sweet!
   Arrayed in thy robes of white?

"Into the Darkness with trembling feet
   And vainly I seek the Light".

"Seeker of light! I've heard men tell
   That the Sorrow is Pleasure's Bride;
That Pain and Death, where Mirth doth dwell,
   Like tyrants rule side by side".

Truly they told thee -- but I would seek
   That Wisdom which Freedom brings,
And fain would soar to its light, but weak
   And untrained are earthy wings.
Canst guide me to where such freedom is,
   And Faith shall dissolve in sight?

Follow into the Darkness, child! I wis
   Therein thou shalt find the Light.


"The Light shinethe in the Darkness and the Darkness
                         comprehendeth it not."
                                    John i. 5.

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A poem by Charles Rosher from his Poems (1897).
The illustration is by M. Bergson MacGregor (i.e. Moina Macgregor Mathers).
Anyone can decipher the inscripition on the wall?