Contents
« Prev | Fourth Sunday in Advent — Dimness | Next » |
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 How little can the heart embrace! Soft shades and gleaming lights are there — I know it well, but cannot trace. |
Mine eye unworthy seems to read One page of Nature’s beauteous book; It lies before me, fair outspread — I only cast a wishful look. |
I cannot paint to Memory’s eye The scene, the glance, I dearest love — Unchang’d themselves, in me they die, Or faint or false their shadows prove. |
In vain, with dull and tuneless ear, I linger by soft Music’s cell, And in my heart of hearts would hear What to her own she deigns to tell. |
’Tis misty all, both sight and sound — I only know ’tis fair and sweet — ’Tis wandering on enchanted ground With dizzy brow and tottering feet. |
But patience! there may come a time When these dull ears shall scan aright Strains that outring Earth’s drowsy chime, As Heaven outshines the taper’s light. |
These eyes, that dazzled now and weak, At glancing motes in sunshine wink. Shall see the King’s1010Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. Isaiah xxxiii. 17. full glory break, Nor from the blissful vision shrink: |
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 Reach to an arrow’s flight, that day They shall behold, and not in trance, The region “very far away.” |
If Memory sometimes at our spell Refuse to speak, or speak amiss, We shall not need her where we dwell Ever in sight of all our bliss. |
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 For all our gazing; but the soul, That upward looks, may still descry Nearer, each day, the brightening goal. |
And thou, too curious ear, that fain Wouldst thread the maze of Harmony, Content thee with one simple strain, The lowlier, sure, the worthier thee; |
Till thou art duly train’d, and taught The concord sweet of Love divine: Then, with that inward Music fraught, For ever rise, and sing, and shine. |
« Prev | Fourth Sunday in Advent — Dimness | Next » |