and blocks of ruby, Emerald bars and bars of opal, Rows of amethyst and topaz, Sparkling in their golden framework. Lofty are the walls and mighty, Rising unto heights unmeasured, Mighty, strong beyond conception. Round the outer palisading Of the diamond walls are watching Many hosts from the Sabaoth Of the King of all these bright realms. Sleepless are their eyes and piercing, Terrible they are in battle; Nothing can uphold against them. They are clad in mail of pure white, Brilliant and of dazzling splendor; Helmets have they, white and burnished, Feathery white plumes in them waving; Brilliant also are their breastplates, And their shields, with ‘Love’ engraven On the front in golden letters, Are most gorgeous in beholding When the light streams full upon them; And destruction is the weapon They employ to guard the city; p. 32Awful is the havoc thereby To the foe who dares approach them. Now before the golden gateway, Which with massive bars is builded, Stands the pilgrim with his escort; And they sound a mighty trumpet, That the strains in thrilling grandeur Flow sonorous through the kingdom. Then behold the keeper cometh, Who the gateway ever keepeth, To unfold the golden barrings; And he throws the gate wide open, And the pilgrim enters therein Now into the holy regions. There a band of seraphs meet him, Chosen from the ranks around them, Guide him to the shining white throne, Where the King in glory sitteth. And the holy King says, ‘Welcome, Welcome to you, pilgrim, brother!’ And he bids an angel bring him— Bring him royal robes and robe him, Garments rich, and white, and lovely, And a golden crown to crown him. While the empyrean minstrels rising, All in flowing garments vested, p. 33Some with harps and some with timbrels, Some with lutes and some with trumpets, All in goodly order mingled, In the skill of gay perfection; Far the minstrel band extendeth Like a wilderness of grandeur. As a sea of flowing white waves Mingled up with diamond ripples; As the moon on sparkling waters, Comes the light from glowing beacons, Dancing on their crowns of glory, Far and near redounding, flowing In a thousand dazzling colors, Like unto a flood of crystal. Silent are they all and heedful While the leader on his tower stands, High amid the radiant brightness, Till his silver wand is raiséd; Then for music every trumpet, Every lute, and every timbrel, Every harp is strung and ready, And for songs wait all the voices. Lo! it falls, and floods melodious Flow from every voice united, Rise from every lute and timbrel, Stream from every harp and trumpet. p. 34Noble and majestic cadence, Full of might and full of sweetness; Like tremendous thunders rolling, Rumbling in their strength and grandeur; Sweet as nectar, which is pouréd From the cup which Juno holdeth. 

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