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Poems

By Frederick William Faber: Third edition
  

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LII. HEAVEN AND EARTH.

There are no shadows where there is no sun;
There is no beauty where there is no shade;
And all things in two lines of glory run,
Darkness and light, ebon and gold inlaid.
God comes among us through the shroud of air;
And His dim track is like the silvery wake
Left by yon pinnace on the mountain lake,
Fading and re-appearing here and there.
The lamps and veils through Heaven and Earth that move
Go in and out, as jealous of their light,
Like sailing stars upon a misty night.
Death is the shade of coming life; and Love
Yearns for her dear ones in the holy tomb,
Because bright things are better seen in gloom.