And his soul was moved to pray once more The prayer he had made twelve years before, Only to know, before he died, If he were worthy to stand beside One of God's children, or great or small, Who served Him truly; and that was all! It was not long ere the angel came, Who, gently calling the saint by name, Said: "Come, for thou hast not far to go. One step, and I to thine eyes will show The very dwelling that shelters now Two souls as near to the Lord as thou!" The hermit rose; and with reverent tread He followed on as the angel led. Where a single cleft the rocks between Gave passage out of the valley green They passed, and stood in the pathway steep: The rocks about them were sunken deep In fern, and bramble, and purple heath, That sloped away to the woods beneath;
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