Poems (Hornblower)/Lines (In chains and darkness Peter slept)

by Jane Elizabeth Roscoe Hornblower

For works with similar titles, see Lines.

LINES.

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In chains and darkness Peter slept,
 Round him the weary soldiers lay;
A light across the prison swept,
 A brightness brighter than the day;

An angel stood—and Peter's side
 Instant he smote, and called, Arise!
Sudden the close-bound chains divide,
 And fall—he lifts his wondering eyes.

His hands are free—the spirit said,
 Take up thy garment—follow me;
And awe-struck, trembling, Peter fled,
 Even as he saw the angel flee.

The wards are past—the iron gate
 Turns freely for the angelic guest,
And in the open street they wait,
 When past that vision from the blest.

The angel fled—then Peter knew,
 When from his sudden trance he rose,
Deliverance from the Lord he drew,
 From Herod and his faithless foes.

And is not our's a purer light,
 A nobler visitant of heaven?
Celestial visions bless our sight,
 Celestial hopes to us are given.

In our dark prison bound below,
 The voice of Jesus still is heard;
And some their chains will from them throw,
 And rise to meet their coming Lord.

Those prison-doors he soon shall break,
 The iron gates of death shall free;
His faithful followers shall partake
 His own all-glorious liberty!