112 !! Because none ever saw so clear The shore beyond of endless bliss: But that in such communion high What then shall wretched sinners do, Sin, as it is, shall meet their view, God turn his face for aye away? Lord, by thy sad and earnest eye, When Thou didst look to heaven and sigh; As thou hast touch'd our ears, and taught That would make fast our bonds again. From foul reproach, from thrilling fears, From idle words, that restless throng, And haunt our hearts when we would pray, From pride's false chime, and jarring wrong, Seal thou my lips, and guard the way: For Thou hast sworn, that every ear, Willing or loth, thy trump shall hear, And every tongue unchained be To own no hope, no God, but Thee. THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. St. Luke x. 23, 24. ON Sinai's top, in prayer and trance, Fasting he watch'd and all alone, Wrapt in a still, dark, solid cloud, The curtain of the Holy One Drawn round him like a shroud: So, separate from the world, his breast There one by one his spirit saw, Of things divine the shadows bright, Through gold and gems, a dazzling maze, Yet not that gorgeous place, nor aught Could half appease his craving thought; "Shew me thy glory, gracious Lord! ""Tis Thee," he cries, "not thine, I. seek!."— * See that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee Nay, start not at so bold a word The spark of his first deathless fire The eye in smiles may wander round, Caught by earth's shadows as they fleet; But for the soul no help is found, Save Him, who made it, meet. Spite of yourselves, ye witness this", This witness bore the saints of old When highest rapt and favour'd most, Still seeking precious things untold, in Pensees de Pascal, part 1. art. viii. |