High swelled the chanted hymn, Low on the marble swept the velvet pall, I bent above, and my eyes grew dim, My sad heart saw it all-- She loved me, loved me though she wedded him. And then shot through my soul A thrill of fierce delight, to think that he Must yield her form, his all, to Death's control, The while her love for me Would live, when sun and stars had ceased to roll. But no, on the white brow, Graved in its marble, was deep calm impressed, Saying that peace had come to her through woe; Saying, she had found rest At last, and I, I must not love her now. It may be in Heaven's grace, Beneath the shade of some immortal palm, That God will let me see her angel face; Then wild, wild heart be calm, Wipe out that old love, every sorrowful trace. I know that if it be, We two should meet again in Paradise, 'Twould trouble her pure soul if she should see The old grief in my eyes; 'Twould grieve her dear heart through eternity. Wipe out that grief, my soul, And shall I lose all love, in losing this? Unclasp my spirit, self's close stolid stole. Are there no lives to bless? So will I give my love, my life, no stinted dole. God will note deeds and sighs, Throned in far splendor on the heavenly hill, Though mad sounds from this wretched planet rise-- Moans wild enough to fill Heaven's air, and drown its harps in doleful cries. And angels shall look down, Through incense rising from my godly deeds. Approving gleam those eyes of tender brown; Sure on a brow that bleeds, The thorns should change to a more glorious crown. Well done, my soul, well done, Out of thy grief to rear a ladder tall To reach the land that lies beyond the sun, To scale the jasper wall, And rise to glory on grief's stepping stone. God looks into the tide, Angel and demon troubled, of a man's mind; And if my alms are scattered far and wide, Only my love to find, Only to pave a path to reach her side-- Will he accept from me My worship, gifts--the heavens are very still, No answer do I hear, no sign I see, If I but knew His will; Would He would come a-walking on the sea. * * * * * The storm is overpast, for sweet and fair A sudden radiance shone o'er wave and lea; And in the glory trembling through the air, He came unto me walking on the sea. The heavy waves that had rushed to and fro Cowered at His feet in sudden melody; And all transfigured in the shining glow Did He come to me walking on the sea. Far off I saw His form, but knew it not; He nearer drew, He smiled, my fears did flee; His loving look dispelled a lingering doubt, As He came to me o'er the twilight sea. I dropped my burden on the shelving sand So I might meet Him, if such bliss could be, I reached the shore, I knelt and kissed His hand With blissful tears beside the twilight sea.