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TO A DEPARTED SPIRIT.
“And there in Abraham's bosom, whatever it be which that
bosom signifies, lives my sweet friend. For what other place
is there for such a soul?”
St. Augustine's Confessions.
Oft was I wont to pray
For thee in olden days; our spirits knew
A common travail, and upon the way
We never stayed to commune, but we drew
A comfort from the other, inly cheered;
So knowing of the things beloved and feared
Of thee, O gentle Spirit! as before
I walked, an elder pilgrim, o'er and o'er
I scanned the ground for thee, and it was sweet
To think that after me thy tender feet
Might find a smoother path; when suddenly
Thou didst o'ertake me with a footstep fleet,
And wingèd, turning on me such a bright,
Sweet, joyous face, I knew that thou hadst neared
Thy journey's end, and even then appeared
The long-sought home, the Father's house in sight;
While from its flaming windows all alight
Came festal sounds.
For thee in olden days; our spirits knew
A common travail, and upon the way
We never stayed to commune, but we drew
A comfort from the other, inly cheered;
So knowing of the things beloved and feared
Of thee, O gentle Spirit! as before
I walked, an elder pilgrim, o'er and o'er
I scanned the ground for thee, and it was sweet
To think that after me thy tender feet
Might find a smoother path; when suddenly
Thou didst o'ertake me with a footstep fleet,
And wingèd, turning on me such a bright,
Sweet, joyous face, I knew that thou hadst neared
Thy journey's end, and even then appeared
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While from its flaming windows all alight
Came festal sounds.
Then, Friend beloved, for thee
I could not pray as once, though still arose
Thy name because of use, would somewhat say,
“Pray not for her, but for thyself and those
Who linger far behind; the little way
That she hath yet to travel, like the rose
Doth blossom, paved with love; her kindred wait
E'en now to welcome her within the gate;
But ere their dancing and their songs resound,
Her spirit rushing on before, hath met
The Father coming forth; her cheek is wet
With reconciling tears. Oh, wake no sound,
She seeketh nothing further! she hath found
Him whom her soul desired by night and day,—
What wouldst thou ask for her?”
I could not pray as once, though still arose
Thy name because of use, would somewhat say,
“Pray not for her, but for thyself and those
Who linger far behind; the little way
That she hath yet to travel, like the rose
Doth blossom, paved with love; her kindred wait
E'en now to welcome her within the gate;
But ere their dancing and their songs resound,
Her spirit rushing on before, hath met
The Father coming forth; her cheek is wet
With reconciling tears. Oh, wake no sound,
She seeketh nothing further! she hath found
Him whom her soul desired by night and day,—
What wouldst thou ask for her?”
Yet must I pray
For thee, so spake I soft, “The stream is wide
That lies between; oh, gentle be its flow
When she doth cross,”—that boon was not denied.
Now that thy feet upon the hither side
Stand firm, I charge thee, Friend, by all below
That knit our souls in one, that thou dost take
This music from my lips, for thou canst frame
Its flow more fitly; only change thy name
Belov'd, for mine. I lay on thee this task,
Entreat for me.
for thou hast drawn more near
God's gracious heart, and closer to His ear,—
Nay! thou dost pray for me, I need not ask!
For thee, so spake I soft, “The stream is wide
That lies between; oh, gentle be its flow
When she doth cross,”—that boon was not denied.
Now that thy feet upon the hither side
Stand firm, I charge thee, Friend, by all below
That knit our souls in one, that thou dost take
This music from my lips, for thou canst frame
Its flow more fitly; only change thy name
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Entreat for me.
“Brother Bradford, as long as I shall understand thou art on thy journey by God's grace, I shall call upon our Heavenly Father for Christ's sake to let thee safely home, and then, good brother, speak you, and pray for the remnant which are to suffer for Christ's sake, according to that thou shalt then know more clearly.”—Bishop Ridley writing to Bradford the Martyr.
God's gracious heart, and closer to His ear,—
Nay! thou dost pray for me, I need not ask!
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