A Visit from Wisdom In the stillness of night Wisdom came and stood By my bed. She gazed upon me like a tender mother And wiped away my tears, and said : "I have heard the cry of your spirit and I am come to comfort it. Open your heart to me and I shall fill it with light. Ask of me and I shall show you the way of truth." And I said : "Who am I, Wisdom, and how came I to this frightening place? What manner of things Are these mighty hopes and these many books andStrange patterns ? What are these thoughts that pass as doves in flight? And these words composed by Desire and sung by delight, what are they? What areThese conclusions, grievous and joyous, that embrace My spirit and envelop my heart? And thoseEyes which look at me seeing into my depths andFleeing from my sorrows ? And those voices mourning My days and chanting my littleness, what are they ? "What is this youth that plays with my desiresAnd mocks at my longings, forgetful of yesterday'sDeed...