Its glorious heights, its wealthy plains, They call! but He my steps restrains Who chastens whom He loves. Ah! now they melt.. I die!-yet is no rest, they are but shades.... O Lord! in store, since Canaan fades WAITING FOR CHRIST. CLXXV. ISRAEL. "And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him ; but he refused to be comforted." O specious sin and Satan's subtle spare, That urges sore each gentlest meekest heart, smart, World-sick to turn within and image there d. CLXXVI. Do not their souls, who neath the Altar wait The gift of patience need, as separate Not that earth's blessings are not all outshone But that earth knows not yet, the Dead has won For when he left it, 'twas a twilight scene A breathless struggle, faith and sight between, Fear startled at his pains and dreary end, And the twin-sisters still his shade attend, So day by day for him from earth ascends, The speechless intercession of his friends, Ah! dearest, with a word he could dispel All questioning, and raise, Our hearts to rapture, whispering all was well, And other secrets too he could declare, His earthly creed retouching here and there, Dearest! he longs to speak, as I to know, It were not good; a little doubt below, d. CLXXVII. THE NEW JERUSALEM.* "And I saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband." THE Holy Jerusalem From highest heaven descending, And crowned with a diadem Of Angel bands attending, The Living City built on high, Bright with celestial jewelry ! She comes the Bride, from heaven gate, In nuptial new Adorning, To meet the Immaculate, Like coming of the morning. Her streets of purest gold are made, Her walls a diamond palisade. (*From the Paris Breviary, in Festo Dedicationis.) |