The Pillars of the Choir: St Thomas

Blessed are they who, needing no loud sign
Of reason, or felt proof, or voice divine,
Believing love ; and, loving, ask not sight !
They on the bosom of the Infinite
Have been, and there in Faith for ever lie;
Believe because they love, and ask not why :
But on His bosom lie they all day long,
And drink His words, and are refresh'd and strong
Thro' all Thy works, Thee, Lord, at every turn,
Thro' all Thy Word, Thee and Thy Cross discern ;
Shrine within shrine, and hall encircling hall,
Pass unto Thee, to Thee, the All in All.

Thine too are they, of ruder sense, who deem
Such thoughts but fancies of the mystic's dream ;
Then, to their questioning and ruder sense,
In palpable and solemn evidence
Thy presence breaks, in providential change
Defying thought, or visitation strange :
They see and feel Thy hands and pierced side,
Worship, and their adoring heads would hide.
Such dwell in Thy blest courts, and see Thy face,
But not most near Thine altar have their place.