Part 6 (2/2)
I had a vision in the night, And saw him standing at the door Of his Father's mansion, vast and splendid, And beckoning to me from afar.
I cannot stay!
_Gottlieb._ She speaks almost As if it were the Holy Ghost Spake through her lips, and in her stead!
What if this were of G.o.d?
_Ursula._ Ah, then Gainsay it dare we not.
_Gottlieb._ Amen!
Elsie! the words that thou hast said Are strange and new for us to hear, And fill our hearts with doubt and fear.
Whether it be a dark temptation Of the Evil One, or G.o.d's inspiration, We in our blindness cannot say.
We must think upon it, and pray; For evil and good in both resembles.
If it be of G.o.d, his will be done!
May he guard us from the Evil One!
How hot thy hand is! how it trembles!
Go to thy bed, and try to sleep.
_Ursula._ Kiss me. Good-night; and do not weep!
(ELSIE _goes out._)
Ah, what an awful thing is this!
I almost shuddered at her kiss.
As if a ghost had touched my cheek, I am so childish and so weak!
As soon as I see the earliest gray Of morning glimmer in the east, I will go over to the priest, And hear what the good man has to say!
A VILLAGE CHURCH.
_A woman kneeling at the confessional.
The Parish Priest (from within)_. Go, sin no more! Thy penance o'er, A new and better life begin!
G.o.d maketh thee forever free From the dominion of thy sin!
Go, sin no more! He will restore The peace that filled thy heart before, And pardon thine iniquity!
(_The woman goes out. The Priest comes forth, and walks slowly up and down the church_.)
O blessed Lord! how much I need Thy light to guide me on my way!
So many hands, that, without heed, Still touch thy wounds, and make them bleed!
So many feet, that, day by day, Still wander from thy fold astray!
Unless thou fill me with thy light, I cannot lead thy flock aright; Nor, without thy support, can bear The burden of so great a care, But am myself a castaway!
(_A pause_.)
The day is drawing to its close; And what good deeds, since first it rose, Have I presented, Lord, to thee, As offerings of my ministry?
What wrong repressed, what right maintained What struggle pa.s.sed, what victory gained, What good attempted and attained?
Feeble, at best, is my endeavor!
I see, but cannot reach, the height That lies forever in the light, And yet forever and forever, When seeming just within my grasp, I feel my feeble hands unclasp, And sink discouraged into night!
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