Through that pure virgin shrine, That sacred veil drawn o'er Thy glorious noon, That men might look and live, as glow-worms shine And face the moon: Wise Nicodemus saw such light As made him know his GOD by night. No mercy-seat of gold, No dead and dusty cherub, nor carved stone, But His own living works did my LORD hold And lodge alone; Where trees and herbs did watch and peep And wonder, while the Jews did sleep. Dear Night! this world's defeat; The stop to busy fools; Care's check and curb; The day of Spirits; my soul's calm retreat Which none disturb! CHRIST's progress [137] , and His prayer time; The hours to which high Heaven doth chime. There is in GOD -- some say -- A deep, but dazzling darkness; as men here Say it is late and dusky, because they See not all clear. O for that Night! where I in Him Might live invisible and dim! Footnotes: [137] See S. Mark 1:35; S. Luke 21:37 |