Or, if at home they stay, Yet are they, day by day, In spirit journeying through the glorious land, Not for light Fancy's reed, Nor Honour's purple meed, Nor gifted Prophet's lore, nor Science' wondrous wand. But more than Prophet, more Than Angels can adore With face unveil'd, is He they go to seek : Blessed be God, whose grace Shews him in every place To homeliest hearts of pilgrims pure and meek. FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. Isaiah xxxii. 3. OF the bright things in earth and air Mine eye unworthy seems to read I cannot paint to Memory's eye The scene, the glance, I dearest love- In vain, with dull and tuneless ear, 'Tis misty all, both sight and sound— But patience! there may come a time These eyes, that dazzled now and weak, Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off. Isaiah xxxiii. 17. In fearless love and hope uncloy'd For ever on that ocean bright Empower'd to gaze; and undestroy'd, Deeper and deeper plunge in light. Though scarcely now their laggard glance If Memory sometimes at our spell We shall not need her where we dwell Meanwhile, if over sea or sky Some tender lights unnotic'd fleet, Or on lov'd features dawn and die, Unread, to us, their lesson sweet; Yet are there saddening sights around, Which Heaven, in mercy, spares us too, And we see far in holy ground, If duly purg'd our mental view. The distant landscape draws not nigh And thou, too curious ear, that fain Content thee with one simple strain, Till thou art duly trained, and taught For ever rise, and sing, and shine. |