The Side Windows: Justin

Upon the solitary shore
Stood Justin, wrapt in Plato's lore,
Seeking, with self-abstracted mind,
The beatific light to find.
A grey-hair'd man on that lone wild,
With venerable aspect mild,
Before him came, and bade him scan
Visions too high for sinful man : —
" Pray thou to God both day and night
" To ope to thee the gates of light,
" Reveal'd of God in Christ alone."
In Justin's breast a fire was sown ;—
Borne heavenward in that glowing flame
His mantle he let fall, a Martyr's honoured name.