Part 26 (2/2)

Terrific deeds and cosmic tasks Of his plainest child he asks.

When I polish the brazen pan I hear a creature laugh afar In the gardens of a star, And from his burning presence run Flaming wheels of many a sun.

Whoever makes a thing more bright, He is an angel of all light.

When I cleanse this earthen floor My spirit leaps to see Bright garments trailing over it.

Wonderful l.u.s.tres cover it, A cleanness made by me.

Purger of all men's thoughts and ways, With labor do I sound Thy praise, My work is done for Thee.

Whoever makes a thing more bright, He is an angel of all light.

Therefore let me spread abroad The beautiful cleanness of my G.o.d.

VI

One time in the cool of dawn Angels came and worked with me.

The air was soft with many a wing.

They laughed amid my solitude And cast bright looks on everything.

Sweetly of me did they ask That they might do my common task.

And all were beautiful -- but one With garments whiter than the sun Had such a face Of deep, remembered grace, That when I saw I cried -- ”Thou art The great Blood-Brother of my heart.

Where have I seen thee?” -- And he said, ”When we are dancing 'round G.o.d's throne, How often thou art there.

Beauties from thy hands have flown Like white doves wheeling in mid-air.

Nay -- thy soul remembers not?

Work on, and cleanse thy iron pot.”

VII

What are we? I know not.

A Saint's Hours. [Sarah N. Cleghorn]

In the still cold before the sun (Her Matins) Her brothers and her sisters small She woke, and washed and dressed each one.

And through the morning hours all (Prime) Singing above her broom she stood And swept the house from hall to hall.

Then out she ran with tidings good (Tierce) Across the field and down the lane, To share them with the neighborhood.

Four miles she walked, and home again, (s.e.xts) To sit through half the afternoon And hear a feeble crone complain.

But when she saw the frosty moon (Nones) And lakes of shadow on the hill, Her maiden dreams grew bright as noon.

She threw her pitying ap.r.o.n frill (Vespers) Over a little trembling mouse When the sleek cat yawned on the sill.

In the late hours and drowsy house, (Evensong) At last, too tired, beside her bed She fell asleep -- her prayers half said.

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