Poetry > Course of time

BOOK FIRST.
7
To bliss that never fades ! thy day is past
Of trial, and of fear to fall. Well done,
Thou good and faithful servant! enter now
Into the joy eternal of thy Lord.
Come with us, and behold far higher sight
Than .e’er thy heart desired, or hope conceived.
See ! yonder is the glorious hill of God,
’Bove angel’s gaze in brightness rising high.
Come, join our wing, and we will guide thy flight
To mysteries of everlasting bliss—
The tree and fount of life, the eternal throne
And presence-chamber of the King of kings.
But what concern hangs on thy countenance.
Unwont within this place 1 Perhaps thou deem’st
Thyself unworthy to be brought before
The always ancient One ! so are we too
Unworthy : but our God is all in all,
And gives us boldness to approach His throne.
Sons of the Highest! citizens of heaven !
Began the New-arrived, right have ye judged :
Unworthy, most unworthy is your servant,
To stand in presence of the King, or hold
Most distant and most humble place in this
Abode of excellent glory unrevealed.
But God Almighty be for ever praised,
Who, of His fulness fills me with all grace
And ornament, to make me in His sight
Well pleasing, and accepted in His court.
But if your leisure waits, short narrative