Outside
Of a child that years ago
Danced within the heartsome glow,
Light and pure as flake of snow;
And this pictured shadow-dance
Seems that childhood seen in trance.
Dancers sweet! you look divine
To these darkened eyes of mine,
And I gaze upon you, even
As an outcast into Heaven;
So will shadowy splendors fall
Far outside the jasper wall.
Danced within the heartsome glow,
Light and pure as flake of snow;
And this pictured shadow-dance
Seems that childhood seen in trance.
Dancers sweet! you look divine
To these darkened eyes of mine,
And I gaze upon you, even
As an outcast into Heaven;
So will shadowy splendors fall
Far outside the jasper wall.
Hark! the vesper-bells are ringing
In the minster's solemn height.
"Come," they say,
"O, come and pray!"
Through the great doors slowly swinging,
'Twixt the darkness and the light,
I can see the white-robed choir,
And the candles' chastened fire
Up the arches pale aspire,
And the sculptured angel stand,
Holding out his stainless hand.
Should I to the altar steal,
Kneel where happy maidens kneel,
Like that one with upturned face,
Meeting Heaven's descending grace,
Hands crossed peaceful on her breast,
In a calm of prayerful rest,
Would her peace encircle me?
Would her freedom set me free?
No, fair saint, the peace is thine,
And the dark despair is mine.
In the minster's solemn height.
"Come," they say,
"O, come and pray!"
Through the great doors slowly swinging,
'Twixt the darkness and the light,
I can see the white-robed choir,
And the candles' chastened fire
Up the arches pale aspire,
And the sculptured angel stand,
Holding out his stainless hand.
Should I to the altar steal,
Kneel where happy maidens kneel,
Like that one with upturned face,
Meeting Heaven's descending grace,
Hands crossed peaceful on her breast,
In a calm of prayerful rest,
Would her peace encircle me?
Would her freedom set me free?
No, fair saint, the peace is thine,
And the dark despair is mine.
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