 | The Shepherd's Garden |  |
130
THE LOVE OF THE HIGHEST.
If I have ever loved in time before,
Now I love more,
And count all other former loves to bend
But to this end,
As many roads that lead to one wished place
Where some high towered city lifts his face,
And gazes at the sun,
Undarkened by the clouds that round him run.
Now I love more,
And count all other former loves to bend
But to this end,
As many roads that lead to one wished place
Where some high towered city lifts his face,
And gazes at the sun,
Undarkened by the clouds that round him run.
Since I do all thy glories once behold,
My soul is bold
To leave the vestiges of sodden clay
For open way,
Winged by the flight of thy far-soaring soul
That bids me touch thy heaven as topmost goal;
Nor ever sigh or grieve
For these unworthy baubles which I leave.
My soul is bold
To leave the vestiges of sodden clay
For open way,
Winged by the flight of thy far-soaring soul
That bids me touch thy heaven as topmost goal;
Nor ever sigh or grieve
For these unworthy baubles which I leave.
So teach me how, through many a faithful hour
To reach thy bower—
To mix my soul with thine, whilst thou dost prove
Large wealth of love,
Giving me patience and such strength to climb,
That I may smile from those pure heights sublime,
And keep me safe and clear
From toys that bind men slaves of folly here.
To reach thy bower—
To mix my soul with thine, whilst thou dost prove
Large wealth of love,
131
That I may smile from those pure heights sublime,
And keep me safe and clear
From toys that bind men slaves of folly here.
| The Shepherd's Garden | |