JACOB’S LADDER.
Reading edition
———
E. J. EAMES.
———
Oh! beautiful ascending, and descending,
Were your bright footsteps ’twixt the earth and sky;
Celestial visitants, in love attending
On the tired trav’ler, to whose dreaming eye
Came radiant glimpses of that far Elysian,
Whose glories now are hid to mortal vision.
A gleam of pinions—solemn harmonies —
The stony pillow—the dim haunted sod —
And to the sleeper—what dread mysteries
Awe his high heart? How sinks the Voice of God
Deep in his soul! Yes, God in veiled glory
Appears, His “ancient cov’nant” to renew;
And angel-tongues record the sacred story
Which o’er the Patriarch such rich splendor threw!
But never more, as in the days departed,
Will ye return to gladden this dull earth:
What burning tears to human eyes have started
Since last ye moved ’mid forms of mortal birth.
And though no more, in glorious raiment clad,
May God, or angel-guest, to man appear,
Unseen they walk the world, and hov’ring near
Their spiritual presence makes earth’s children glad.
And still the mystic ladder is erected,
Whereon bright missioned spirits come and go —
Bearing unto the worn and world-dejected,
A precious balm for all life’s want and wo.
Still unto us high promises are given,
And holiest hopes, to lead our hearts to Heaven.