“I am but as a beast before thee, Lord.”—

Great poet-king, I thank thee for the word.—

Leave not thy son half-made in beastly guise—

Less than a man, with more than human cries—

An unshaped thing in which thyself cries out!

Finish me, Father; now I am but a doubt;

Oh! make thy moaning thing for joy to leap and shout.

MacDonald, George (2014-05-20). The Complete Works of George MacDonald: The Princess and the Goblin, The Princess And Curdie, Lilith, Phantastes, Parables, Far Above Rubies and More (73 Books With Active Table of Contents) (Kindle Locations 1110-1120). . Kindle Edition.