Nay, is that tongue for ever still'd? That they can nothing hear no more; In secret to his spirit talks Of that incestuous crime more sternly than before. But holy John ! he was a cloud Pregnant with light, which earth-ward bow'd, As its effulgence now begun, Then hasted he himself in air to melt away. For Thine alone, whose footsteps dwell In seas of light inscrutable, The glory and the praise is Thine; And Thee the Incarnate Son we sing, And Thee who bindest all, the Paraclete Divine. AT THE SECOND VESPERS. The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.-ISAIAH lvii. "Omnibus manat cruor ecce venis." His open veins all flow with gore: He saw, and startled back, I trow, Thus He who all things ordereth, The earth Thy praises shall prolong, To all eternity. LAZARUS, MARY, AND MARTHA AT THE FIRST VESPERS. If a man love Me he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.-JOHN XIV. "Flagrans amore, perditos. As Jesus sought His wandering sheep, With weary toil opprest, He came to Martha's lowly roof, A loved and honour'd Guest. Blessed art thou, whose threshold poor Y While Martha serves with busy feet, In reverential mood Meek Mary sits beside the Judge, Yea, Martha soon herself shall sit And shall forget the festal board, Sole rest of all who come to Thee, That we may have in Thee, at last, |