 | Songs for Sufferers |  |
33
THE CLOUD.
The cloud is but a curtain, lest the glory
Should dazzle and overwhelm the suffering saints,
Exceeding bliss at which the spirit faints;
His sanctuary veil that hides Heaven's lower storey,
The mortal mist which tones but never taints.
And from it come the Vision and the Voice,
That bid us at the darkest hour rejoice.
Should dazzle and overwhelm the suffering saints,
Exceeding bliss at which the spirit faints;
His sanctuary veil that hides Heaven's lower storey,
The mortal mist which tones but never taints.
And from it come the Vision and the Voice,
That bid us at the darkest hour rejoice.
Ah, had we learnt the habit of believing,
The earthly vapour would arise and pass
As but a moment's shadow on a glass:
There would be no more doubt, no longer grieving,
No room for one misgiving, one alas.
Our hope and refuge would be then the rod,
And all that hurteth flesh the hand of God.
The earthly vapour would arise and pass
As but a moment's shadow on a glass:
There would be no more doubt, no longer grieving,
No room for one misgiving, one alas.
Our hope and refuge would be then the rod,
And all that hurteth flesh the hand of God.
The cloud is smoke that riseth from the altar
Whereon not we but Christ hath ever lain,
Who is in endless crucifixion slain;
How shall we fly from agony, or falter
When it is He who bears our lightest pain?
I cannot see the darkness, for the flame
That shines throughout, and showeth Love the same.
Whereon not we but Christ hath ever lain,
Who is in endless crucifixion slain;
How shall we fly from agony, or falter
When it is He who bears our lightest pain?
I cannot see the darkness, for the flame
That shines throughout, and showeth Love the same.
| Songs for Sufferers | |