All my being terrifies--
Though my darkling fear is lessened
By thy frank and honest eyes.

"Yet I doubt if thou believest
What is held for truth by most;
Hast thou faith in God the Father,
In the Son and Holy Ghost?"

"Ah, my darling! when an infant
By my mother's knee I stood,
I believed in God the Father,
In the Ruler great and good.

"He who made the world so lovely,
Gave man beauty, gave him force,
And to sun and moon and planets
Pre-appointed each its course.

"As I older grew, my darling,
And my way in wisdom won,
I in reason comprehended,
And believe now in the Son--

"In the well-loved Son, who, loving,
Oped the gates of Love so wide;
And for thanks--as is the custom--
By the world was crucified.

"Now, that I in full-grown manhood