St. Agnes.
Deep on the convent roofs the snows1
Are sparkling to the moon,2
My breath to Heaven like vapour goes,3
May my soul follow soon.4
The shadows of the convent towers5
Slant down the snowy sward,6
Still creeping with the creeping hours,7
That lead me to my Lord.8
Make thou my spirit pure and clear,9
As are the frosty skies,10
Or this first snowdrop of the year,11
That on my bosom lies.12
As these white robes are soiled and dark13
To yonder shining ground,14
As this pale taper’s earthly spark15
To yonder argent round ;16
So shows my soul before the Lamb,17
My spirit before thee ;18
So in mine earthly house I am,19
To that I hope to be.20
Break up the Heavens, O Lord ! and far21
Through all yon starlight keen22
Draw me, thy bride, a glittering star,23
In raiment white and clean.24
He lifts me to the golden doors,25
The flashes come and go ;26
All Heaven bursts her starry floors,27
And strews her lights below,28
And deepens on and up : the gates29
Roll back, and far within30
For me the heavenly bridegroom waits,31
To wash me pure from sin.32
The Sabbaths of eternity—33
One Sabbath deep and wide ;34
A light upon the shinging sea—35
The bridegroom with his bride !36