meaning break To clearness through my speech!

p. 118

I can no more, with glimmering trope That into darkness runs, Reveal its depth, than they could hope, Who on in lifelong blindness grope, To sing of rising suns.

“Or e’er that life my King had lent Was lifted into rest, His message through my lips He sent, And on thy path His glory went To guide thee to the blessed.

“But thou didst turn thy face, and scorn His grace divine as nought; And set thy gaze to earth forlorn, And rage at fate, till gaunt and worn, Death mouldered in thy thought.

p. 119“Thou, blindly gross, didst toy with clay, And in the ghastly gleam Of charnel gloom didst kiss decay; And many full moons waned away, And left thee in thy dream.

p. 119

“For with thy Lily’s worldly dress Thou didst thine eyesight fill; And scorn to know its loveliness Were but an empty boast unless Made living by His will.

“Thou mourn’dst not most the vanished soul Which was my Lord’s through thine; But more the broken pleasure-bowl, Whose golden richness shed, when whole, Its splendour in thy wine.

“And therefore living wert thou made To taste the cup of death; p. 120And therefore did the glory fade, From guidance into deadly shade That iced thy shuddering breath.

p. 120

“Permitted, now I come to thee:  I warn thee of thy sin; I urge thee cleanse thine eyesight free, That purified thy soul may see The way his love to win.

“His love incomprehensible Did never turn away From penitent whom harm befell; But springeth like a desert well For thirsting poor estray.

“Let him who scorneth mercy shown, Unhappy one, beware! For whoso lives in pride alone, His pride shall harden to a stone Too great for him to bear.

p. 121“And whoso, having warnèd been, Refuseth still to turn, Behind his shadow, shrunken mean, A poring spectre shall be seen With livid stare and girn.

p. 121

“Thou troubled one, who unto me Art next my Lord’s own grace, O turn to Him, and He will be A refuge from thy misery, A smile upon thy face!

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