The Chapter-house: Episcopacy III

The Sovereignty of God is shed o'er Kings,
Throwing around them a mysterious fear,
Which, though it would not, cannot but revere,
When the true Line, in type of heavenly things,
The shadow of God's Kingship o'er them flings.
But in Thy Priesthood Thou Thyself art here,
And virtue goeth from Thee. Faith brings near
That heaven-descended stair, and upward springs,
With world-averted face, and, more and more,
Admitting to Thy Godhead's secret store,
Leads up to Thee. Healing Thy garments fills,
And grace and truth th' impregnate air distils
Around thy presence. With awe-stricken eyes
We sit with lov'd disciples round Thy feet ;
Or, as the growing bread Thy love supplies,
From Apostolic hands we take and eat.