What no human eye hath seen, What no mortal ear hath beard, What on thought hath never been In its noblest flights conferred-- This hath God prepared in store For His people evermore! | When the shaded Pilgrim-land Fades before my closing eye, Then reveal'd on either hand Heaven's own scenery shall lie; Then the veil of flesh shall fall, Now concealing, darkening all. | 112 Heavenly landscapes, calmly bright, Life's pure river murmuring low, Forms of loveliness and light, Lost to earth long time ago; Yes, mine own, lamented long, Shine amid the angel throng! | Many a joyful sight was given, Many a lovely vision here-- Hill, and vale, and starry even, Friendship's smile, Affection's tear; These were shadows, sent in love, Of realities above! | When upon my wearied ear Earth's last echoes faintly die, Then shall angel-harps draw near-- All the chorus of the sky; Long-hushed voices blend again, Sweetly, in that welcome-strain. | Here were sweet and varied tones, Bird, and breeze, and fountain's fall, Yet creation's travail-groans Ever sadly sigh'd through all. There no discord jars the air-- Hrmony is perfect there! | When thus aching heart shall rest, All its busy pulses o'er, 113 From her mortal robes undresst Shall my spirit upward soar. Then shall unimagined joy All my thoughts and powers employ. | Here devotion's healing balm Often came to soothe my breast-- Hours of deep and holy calm, Earnests of eternal rest. But the bliss was here unknown, Which shall there be all my own! | Jesus reigns, the Life, the Sun Of that wondrous world above; All the clouds and storms are gone, All is light, and all is love. All the shadows melt away In the blaze of perfect day! | |