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44
HOLY COMMUNION.
My soul, that's house-mate with my body,
And finds the tenement too small,
Frets at her vesture, white and ruddy,
Would break the windows, scale the wall;
And finds the tenement too small,
Frets at her vesture, white and ruddy,
Would break the windows, scale the wall;
Would spread her useless wings and flying
Leave all her dull estate behind.
To-day, with angels touching, vieing,
She finds her prison to her mind.
Leave all her dull estate behind.
To-day, with angels touching, vieing,
She finds her prison to her mind.
See now the prisoner's manumission!
And yet she hugs her prison still,
Where shining heads and wings elysian
Are crowding by her window-sill.
And yet she hugs her prison still,
Where shining heads and wings elysian
Are crowding by her window-sill.
She sweeps her room and makes it festal,
Flings a white cloth upon the board,
And with a bridal heart and vestal
Awaits the coming of her Lord.
Flings a white cloth upon the board,
And with a bridal heart and vestal
Awaits the coming of her Lord.
45
This is her hour. Enrapt with Mary
She breaks her box of ointment rare,
Kneels in her heaven, Love's sanctuary,
And feels His touch upon her hair.
She breaks her box of ointment rare,
Kneels in her heaven, Love's sanctuary,
And feels His touch upon her hair.
Meanwhile her house-mate who shall perish
One hour is glorified likewise;
Envied of angels, she doth cherish
The Darling of the earth and skies.
One hour is glorified likewise;
Envied of angels, she doth cherish
The Darling of the earth and skies.
One hour, poor wench, her honour's over;
She, destined only for the earth,
Fashioned for no immortal lover,
Gives praise for crowns beyond her worth.
She, destined only for the earth,
Fashioned for no immortal lover,
Gives praise for crowns beyond her worth.
No longer now the soul's in prison,
Nor tethered by her useless wings,
Slips bonds; follows her Lord arisen,
And ere she falls by heaven's gate sings.
Nor tethered by her useless wings,
Slips bonds; follows her Lord arisen,
And ere she falls by heaven's gate sings.
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