The Cathedral, or the Catholic and Apostolic Church in England ::

Methought I saw a face divinely fair,
With nought of earthly passion; the mild beam
Of whose bright eye did in mute converse seem
With other countenances, and they were,
Gazing on her, made beautiful. Their theme
Was One that had gone up the heavenly stair,
And left a fragrance on this lower air,
The contemplation of His Love supreme.
And that high form held forth to me a hand:—
It was celestial Wisdom, whose calm brow
Did of those earthly Sciences inquire,
If they had of His glory ought retain'd:—
Yes! I would be admitted to your choir,
That I may nothing love on earth below.

University of Virginia Library

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA