ASCENDING.
They who from mountain peaks have gazed upon
The wide illimitable heavens, have said,
That still receding as they climbed, outspread,
The blue vault deepens over them, and one
By one drawn further back, each starry sun
Shoots down a feebler splendour overhead.
So, Saviour! as our mounting spirits, led
Along Faith's living way to Thee, have won
A nearer access, up the difficult track
Still pressing, on that rarer atmosphere,
When low beneath us flits the cloudy rack,
We see Thee drawn within a widening sphere
Of glory, from us further, further back,—
Yet is it then because we are more near.
The wide illimitable heavens, have said,
That still receding as they climbed, outspread,
The blue vault deepens over them, and one
By one drawn further back, each starry sun
Shoots down a feebler splendour overhead.
So, Saviour! as our mounting spirits, led
Along Faith's living way to Thee, have won
A nearer access, up the difficult track
Still pressing, on that rarer atmosphere,
When low beneath us flits the cloudy rack,
We see Thee drawn within a widening sphere
Of glory, from us further, further back,—
Yet is it then because we are more near.
