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

The Moon upon her silver height
Seems varying with the varying night;
Still varying seems, though still the same,
Since out of Evening's door she came;

To lead some traveller journeying on,
Her cheering mantle o'er him thrown.
First issues forth with burnish'd crest
Looking upon the golden west,—
A knight in virgin armour drest,
Pledging herself companion sure
Thro' hours of darkness to endure:
Then seems descended from her tower
To kindle up some wintry bower;
And turns the leafless branches bright
Into an hermitage of light,
Or temple strange of living gold
With gothic traceries manifold.
Then silently breaks forth to view,
Walking alone the sea of blue;
Anon with rising clouds contending,
And with their gloom her glory blending;
They gather 'neath her steps of brightness,
A pedestal of glowing whiteness.
Thus leads thro' night, then melts away
Into the sunshine of the day.
With brow unchang'd the while she dwells,
In Heav'n's serener citadels,
But seems with us as here we range
To thread the path of interchange.

Who live beside the solemn Sea,
And love his simple majesty,
Still ever new, in alter'd mien,
His untransformed shape have seen.
Now as they sit his margin nigh,
He lifts his hands, and voice on high,
No thought can trace his hidden treasure,
His beauty, strength, or vastness measure.
Now while they other scenes pursue,
The hills between, in arching blue,
He gathers in his silver length
All darkly to a bow of strength.—
Now man's meek friend, upon his breast
He bears him hous'd in sea-born nest.—
How God's unsullied temple fair,
For man hath left no traces there.—
Now aye unchang'd, yet ever changing,
To caves unfathom'd boundless ranging;—
Now seems to lay his vastness by
To minister to thought and eye.

A faithful Friend, best boon of Heav'n,
Unto some favour'd mortal given,
Tho' still the same, yet varying still,
Our each successive want to fill,
Beneath life's ever fitful hue
To us he bears an aspect new.

Round childhood's path a happy charm,
In age a tried supporting arm;
A chastening drop in cup of gladness,
A light to paint the mists of sadness;
To cheer, to chide, to teach, to learn,
Sad or severe, serene or stern.
Whatever form His Presence wears,
That Presence every form endears.
Till Faith descries in that dear love
The messenger from one above,
Faint emblem of a better Friend,
Who walks with us till life shall end.

University of Virginia Library

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