IX
THE INDULGENCE
There are greater benedictions, and like these the greater
evils are within, but notwithstanding that forgiveness can
be always presupposed in virtue of that supernatural love
which casts out fear, there is still the mal-ease of the soul
in the peopled darkness and the purlieus, where the commerce
of wickedness drives its several trades.
For the Crown and the Kingdom
Our hopes are Thine; to Thee our ends converge;
And all of will within us, long transferr'd,
Waits on the fiat of Thine utter'd word.
Speak in the silence; speak in the storm of sound
From which, to reach Thy silence, we emerge
Here on this holy ground;
Speak in the Rites that bless Thee; on the verge
Of all things manifest; in things unseen—
Speak. In our longing we shall find no rest
Until we know what all Thy portents mean.
O when Thy high intention stands express'd,
Speak in the heart, and we shall hear Thee best!
With aching souls, we grieve the life of wrong
Which has from Thy life sever'd us so long:
Take us, do with us as Thou wilt;
The sad mischances of our days forgive;
From those dark paths wherein we mate with guilt
Redeem us, Saviour: teach us how to live.
It is in the suspension of earthly things that the first
secret consists.
