 | Miscellaneous Poems |  |
21
Lights at Vespers.
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of
the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the light of life.”—
St. John viii. 12.
Full many an eve, and many a morn,
The holy Lamps have blazed and died;
The floor by knees of sinners worn,
The mystic altar's golden horn,
Age after age have witness borne
To faith that on a lingering Saviour cried.
The holy Lamps have blazed and died;
The floor by knees of sinners worn,
The mystic altar's golden horn,
Age after age have witness borne
To faith that on a lingering Saviour cried.
“At evening time there shall be light”—
'Twas said of old—'tis wrought to-day:
Now, with the stolèd priest in sight,
The perfumed embers quivering bright,
Ere yet the ceiling's spangled height
The glory catch of the new-kindled ray!
'Twas said of old—'tis wrought to-day:
Now, with the stolèd priest in sight,
The perfumed embers quivering bright,
Ere yet the ceiling's spangled height
The glory catch of the new-kindled ray!
22
A voice not loud, but thrilling clear,
On hearts preparèd falls benign:—
“I am the world's true Light: who hear
And follow Me, no darkness fear,
Nor waning eve, nor changing year;
The Light of Life is theirs: pure Light of Life divine!”
On hearts preparèd falls benign:—
“I am the world's true Light: who hear
And follow Me, no darkness fear,
Nor waning eve, nor changing year;
The Light of Life is theirs: pure Light of Life divine!”
| Miscellaneous Poems | |