George MacDonald(1824–1905) · The Poetical Works of George MacDonald, Volume I · 1893?
Ray of the Dawn of Truth, Aubrey de Vere, Forgive my play fantastic with thy name, Distilling its true essence by the flame Which Love ’neath Fancy’s limbeck lighteth clear. I know not what thy semblance, what thy cheer; If, as thy spirit, hale thy bodily frame, Or furthering by failure each high aim; If green thy leaf, or, like mine, growing sear; But this I think, that thou wilt, by and by— Two journeys stoutly, therefore safely trod— We laying down the staff, and He the rod— So look on me I shall not need to cry— “We must be brothers, Aubrey, thou and I: We mean the same thing—will the will of God!”