We must not stand to gaze too long, Though on unfolding Heaven our gaze we bend, Where lost behind the bright angelic throng We see CHRIST's entering triumph slow ascend. No fear but we shall soon behold, Faster than now it fades, that gleam revive, Then shall we see Thee as Thou art, For ever fix'd in no unfruitful gaze, But such as lifts the new-created heart, Age after age, in worthier love and praise. SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 St. Peter iv. 10. THE Earth that in her genial breast Makes for the down a kindly nest, Where wafted by the warm south-west Yields, thankful, of her very best, To nurse her treasure: True to her trust, tree, herb, or reed, And to her Lord with duteous heed Gives large increase : Thus year by year she works unfeed, we w Woe worth these barren hearts of ours, Where Thou hast set celestial flowers, And water'd with more balmy showers, Than e'er distill'd In Eden, on th' ambrosial bowers Yet nought we yield. Largely Thou givest, gracious Lord, He only, who forgets to hoard, Wisely Thou givest—all around That not two roseate cups are crown'd Even so, in silence, likest Thee, e St. Matt. x. 8. Tempering her gifts, that seem so free, Till not a woe the bleak world see, Eyes to the blind, and to the lame To humbled souls, that sink for shame, Leads them the way our Saviour went, Nor yet his Holy Spirit sent Ten days th' eternal doors display'd M Left orphans in Earth's dreary shade Open they stand, that prayers in throngs Where stands the Healer of all wrongs The golden censer in his hand, About Him winged blessings stand A little while, and they shall fleet Speeding his flight, With all that sacred is and sweet, On saints to light. |