Nor rash nor vain is that presentiment; 580 Yes,--for one moment thou shalt see thy Lord. Thus will it be: what time thou art arraigned Before the dread tribunal, and thy lot Is cast for ever, should it be to sit On His right hand among His pure elect, Then sight, or that which to the soul is sight, As by a lightning-flash, will come to thee, And thou shalt see, amid the dark profound, Whom thy soul loveth, and would fain approach,-- One moment; but thou knowest not, my child, 590 What thou dost ask: that sight of the Most Fair Will gladden thee, but it will pierce thee too. SOUL Thou speakest darkly, Angel! and an awe Falls on me, and a fear lest I be rash. ANGEL There was a mortal, who is now above In the mid glory: he, when near to die, Was given communion with the Crucified,-- Such, that the Master's very wounds were stamped Upon his flesh;[29] and, from the agony 599 Which thrilled through body and soul in that embrace Learn that the flame of the Everlasting Love Doth burn ere it transform.... ß5 ... Hark to those sounds! They come of tender beings angelical, Least and most childlike of the sons of God. FIRST CHOIR OF ANGELICALS Praise to the Holiest in the height,[30] And in the depth be praise: In all His words most wonderful; Most sure in all His ways! To us His elder race He gave 610 To battle and to win, Without the chastisement of pain, Without the soil of sin. The younger son He willed to be A marvel in his birth: Spirit and flesh his parents were; His home was heaven and earth. The Eternal blessed His child, and armed, And sent him hence afar, To serve as champion in the field 620 Of elemental war. To be His Viceroy in the world Of matter, and of sense; Upon the frontier, towards the foe, A resolute defence. ANGEL We now have passed the gate, and are within The House of Judgment; and whereas on earth Temples and palaces are formed of parts Costly and rare, but all material, So in the world of spirits nought is found, 630 To mould withal and form into a whole, But what is immaterial; and thus The smallest portions of this edifice, Cornice, or frieze, or balustrade, or stair, The very pavement is made up of life-- Of holy, blessed, and immortal beings, Who hymn their Maker's praise continually. SECOND CHOIR OF ANGELICALS Praise to the Holiest in the height, And in the depth be praise: In all His words most wonderful; 640 Most sure in all His ways!