Even through the veil of sleep it shines, And spares awhile his blissful trance. Or haply to his native lake His vision wafts him back, to talk With JESUS, ere his flight he take, As in that solemn evening walk, When to the bosom of his friend, The Shepherd, He whose name is Good, Did His dear lambs and sheep commend, Both bought and nourish'd with His blood: Then laid on him th' inverted tree, Which firm embrac'd with heart and arm, Might cast o'er hope and memory, O'er life and death, its awful charm. With brightening heart he bears it on, The unexpressive notes to hear Of angel song and angel motion, Rising and falling on the ear Like waves in Joy's unbounded ocean. His dream is chang'd-the Tyrant's voice Calls to that last of glorious deedsBut as he rises to rejoice, Not Herod but an Angel leads. He dreams he sees a lamp flash bright, But 'tis a gleam of heavenly light The flame, that in a few short years Touch'd he upstarts-his chains unbind— Through darksome vault, up massy stair, His dizzy, doubting footsteps wind To freedom and cool moonlight air. Then all himself, all joy and calm, Though for a while his hand forego, Just as it touch'd, the martyr's palm, He turns him to his task below; The pastoral staff, the keys of heaven, ST. JAMES'S DAY. Ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. St. Matthew xx. 23. SIT down and take thy fill of joy At God's right hand, a bidden guest, Drink of the cup that cannot cloy, Eat of the bread that cannot waste. O great Apostle! rightly now Thou readest all thy Saviour meant, What time His grave yet gentle brow "Seek ye to sit enthron'd by me? "Alas! ye know not what ye ask, "The first in shame and agony, "The lowest in the meanest task"This can ye be? and can ye drink "The cup that I in tears must steep, "Nor from the whelming waters shrink "That o'er me roll so dark and deep?" "We can-thine are we, dearest Lord, "In glory and in agony, "To do and suffer all Thy word; 66 Only be Thou for ever nigh."“Then be it so-my cup receive, "And of my woes baptismal taste: "But for the crown, that angels weave "For those next me in glory plac'd, "I give it not by partial love; "But in my Father's book are writ "What names on earth shall lowliest prove, "That they in Heaven may highest sit." Take up the lesson, O my heart; Thou Lord of meekness, write it there, Thine own meek self to me impart, Thy lofty hope, thy lowly prayer. If ever on the mount with Thee I seem to soar in vision bright, With thoughts of coming agony" Stay Thou the too presumptuous flight: Gently along the vale of tears Lead me from Tabor's sunbright steep, Let me not grudge a few short years With Thee tow'rd Heaven to walk and weep: Too happy, on my silent path, If now and then allow'd, with Thee Watching some placid holy death, Thy secret work of love to see; But oh most happy, should thy call, Thy welcome call, at last be given"Come where thou long hast stor'd thy all, "Come see thy place prepar'd in Heaven.” a St. Matthew xvii. 12. "Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer of them." This was just after the transfiguration. |