And dare we the transporting word To our own hearts apply? Trembling we dare; for He had heard Our lowly breathed vows, ere flamed yon morning sky. We have been by His Cross and grave; His Angel bade us speed Where they resort, whom He will save, And hear and say as one, "The Lord is risen indeed." Then speed we on our willing way, And He our way will bless. In fear and love thy heart array; Straight be thy churchway path, unsoiled thy Sabbath dress. Holy Places and Things. 261 2. WALK TO CHURCH. "The path of the Just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Now the holy hour is nigh, Seek we out the holy ground; Rustling woodlands all around: Dews that yet are glistening clear Through their brown or briary screen. Hie we through the autumnal wood, Pausing where the echoes dwell, Boys, or men of boyish mood, Now the old grey tower we see, JESUS risen hath sworn to be. He hath sworn, for there will meet Feel His heaven-descended flame. To the unlearned its shadows speak. Holy Places and Things. 263 3. THE LICH-GATE. "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the House of God." THIS is the portal of the dead.— Nay, shrink not so, my fair-eyed boy, The wildfire keen, that all the way Even from our porch at home hath danced with thee so gay. This is the holy resting-place, Where coffins and where mourners wait, Till the stoled priest hath time to pace Like one who bears a hidden seal Of pardon from a king, where rebels trembling kneel. Brief is the pause, but thoughts and dreams As haply haunt the space 'twixt earth and Paradise. Such visions in the churchyard air O scare them not away: beware Of bolder cry and ruder bound. Thick as the bees that love to play Under the lime-tree leaves the livelong summer day, And tunable as their soft song, And fragrant as the honey'd flowers They haunt and cherish, is the throng Of thoughts in these our hallowed bowers. On every gale that stirs the yew They float, and twinkle in each drop of morning dew. |