Poems (Kimball)/The Vision in the Chalice
THE VISION IN THE CHALICE.
INSCRIBED TO H. E. H.
THE priest before the Altar Stood with uplifted eyes, His heart deep stirred within him, To offer the sacrifice.
The morning's golden splendor Through the chancel window streamed Till like masses of precious jewels The radiant colors seemed.
But around the central picture Of the Christ upon the Rood It shone like a wondrous halo As the priest upgazing stood.
The prayer of consecration Began he low and clear, And at the mystic sentence Bowed down in holy fear;
Bowed lowly over the Paten, As he took in his hands the Bread And likewise the mystic sentence Over the Cup he said.
Hen lo! in the golden Chalice, Distinct in the purple wine, He saw reflected the image Of the Crucified Form Divine.
Filled with a sudden tremor, His eyes deep fixed on the sight,Scarcely the prayer he followed Or knew if he said it aright.
Trembling with adoration He lifted the Chalice high,As upholding the sacred Burden Between the earth and the sky.
And still when the Chalice he lowered, Distinct in the purple wine, From the chancel windows reflected He saw the Image Divine.
Did he hear in the hush that followed The words of the Lord anew, Brought down by the Church through the ages, The mystical charge, "This do"?
Did he hear from the Holy of holies, The secret, eternal shrine, The Priest who is Priest forever Renew the assurance divine?—
"Lo! I am with you alway, Blessing the Cup float you bless; Under the Bread you have broken My Presence proclaim and confess.
Lo! I am with you alway, Mine own command to fulfil; I am the Sacrifice offered, The Priest and the Victim still.
Lo! I am with you alway, Feeding. the flock that you feed, My Flesh the manna unfailing, My Blood the drink indeed."
O blessed, O wondrous commission! It seemed to the lowly priest Like a precious new revelation, As he shared with his flock float Feast.
And ever enshrined in his bosom lie treasures with holy awe The memory of the vision That veiled in the Chalice he saw.