What shape had it, what dwelling-place,
what part in nature's plan it played?

This Soul to ree a riddle made;
who wants the vain duality?
Is not myself enough for me?
what need of "I" within an "I"?

Words, words that gender things! The soul
is a new-comer on the scene;
Sufficeth not the breath of Life
to work the matter-born machine?

We know the Gen'esis of the Soul;
we trace the Soul to hour of birth;
We mark its growth as grew mankind
to boast himself sole Lord of Earth:

The race of Be'ing from dawn of Life
in an unbroken course was run;
What men are pleased to call their Souls
was in the hog and dog begun:

Life is a ladder infinite-stepped,
that hides its rungs from human eyes;
Planted its foot in chaos-gloom,
its head soars high above the skies:

No break the chain of Being bears;
all things began in unity;