The North Aisle: The Lord's Prayer XIII

Thro' life, as change and chance succeed,
It thus doth vary to our need,
And to the faith-illumin'd sense
Expandeth its magnificence.

Said I, 'twas like the silver Moon,
Companion thro' night's wintry noon ?
Yea, and I deem it not too bold,
Could I its treasures half unfold :
'Tis fraught with goodness all Thine own,
Whilst Thou, our Sun, from sight art gone.

Lo, earth-born cares are at its rising riven,
And wither'd hopes have caught the holier hues of Heaven !
Said I. 'twas like the solemn Sea,
So simple in sublimity,
Transform'd to meet each changing scene,
And glass Heaven's face dark or serene ?
Man's hand hath been on all beside,
Thy holy footsteps there abide,
Tho' all too deep for mortal pride.
In that baptismal flood serene
Still would I wash, and still be clean.

Said I, 'twas like a constant Friend,
Whom we would hold when life shall end
Yea, it shall ever be to me
In solitude best company :
And a sweet spell when friends are nigh,
A presence felt in silence by.

Yea, while we walk with cloud and shade,
And meteor lights our path invade,
Let not a wish within me burn,
But first unto that Prayer I turn !

And, oh, may I at life's dim close
Know of that Prayer the calm repose !