 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
118
A SERMON IN THE CHURCH AT ST. BEATENBERG
They sat with withered cheeks on withered hands,
O'er wrinkled brows the dark lace-veiling fell,
With reverent gaze they heard the preacher tell
In simple words God's love and God's commands.
Weary with toil upon their stubborn lands,
They learned that where the blessèd ones shall dwell
Are living waters from a springing well,
Where alway Christ the Water-giver stands.
O'er wrinkled brows the dark lace-veiling fell,
With reverent gaze they heard the preacher tell
In simple words God's love and God's commands.
Weary with toil upon their stubborn lands,
They learned that where the blessèd ones shall dwell
Are living waters from a springing well,
Where alway Christ the Water-giver stands.
To willing ears the parable went home,
Willing as his to whom was promise given,
‘This day shalt thou find rest in Paradise,’
And I could see that tears were in their eyes
To think a day of rest should ever come
When they should drink the painless streams of Heaven.
Willing as his to whom was promise given,
‘This day shalt thou find rest in Paradise,’
And I could see that tears were in their eyes
To think a day of rest should ever come
When they should drink the painless streams of Heaven.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |