The triumph of life. Mystical poem

Dedication

" The day is short and the work is great but the labourers are idle, though the reward be great and the Master of the work presses. It is not incumbent upon thee to complete the work ; but thou must not therefore cease from it." — The Talmud.

" With stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people." — Isaiah xxviii. n.

Part I

"The Altar is the Cross. The souls under the Altar are the souls under the Cross or these that are crucified with Jesus ; these having passed the mystic death in the fourth central number where light is generated from the Cross, begin to arise in the next holy number, till at length they attain the Sabbath of their rest in the seventh, in which the Divine Spirit is fully manifested and the soul fully perfected."

" The process of mystical death consists in a sevenfold purification and refining according to the number and order of the seals."

" The new generation of the soul is a passing out of darkness into light through the power of the Lamb raising up himself therein and redeeming it from the wrathful source of nature in its dark and fiery principles."

"This internal resurrection and redemption brings the spirit of the soul through all the seals of nature, into the very substantiality of Christ's universal body, the principle and centre of light eternal, where Wisdom reigns in the wonders of God."

" The regenerated spirit draws after it the soul, and that also draws the body without which it cannot be perfected, and so the soul is clothed upon with the heavenly body of the inward Christ."

"This inward Christ, or Christ formed within, is the new creature and is one with Jesus Christ, sitting in the heavenly places, at the right hand of the Father, being spirit of His spirit and flesh of His flesh."

" Thus the saints are one body in Him and He is this body in God : they enter into His humanity and He becomes man in them.

" By this new generation or New Birth of spirit, soul and body is the new man perfected in Christ, and reigns with Christ in the new garment of his body completely put on by virtue of the seventh seal broken up in the Lamb's nature."

" The process of the mystic resurrection, and the first resurrection (which follows immediately hereupon) and the manifestation of it is to be looked for under the mystery of the seven thunders."

THE CROSS.

Ah ! well-a-day, thou didst not miss me long ; Has the last echo died of that low song I sang for thee ere while ? Hast thou no fear Of a day that must come soon when on the bier I shall lie cold, my heart as calm as thine? Then wilt thou weep ? Behold ! I shall be strong Then may'st thou sigh, yet wake no sigh of mine, On my white cheek there then will shine no tear Unless from thy sad eyes some tear-drops fall ; Weep on, sob on, it will not me appal ; Soon shall the death-smile on my face appear, And then thy grief can vex me not at all.

THE CBOSS

II

Ah ! well-a-day, the sun shines bright and clear, But then I shall not know, I shall not care ;

Wilt thou bring flowers, pale flowers, and lay them near My face, which death shall make so white and fair ?

A pale, pale bride that will not speak nor stir ?

Though roses red and white be strewn for her ; She seems to sleep, and sleeping dream of peace, Then wake her not lest her sweet dream should cease ;

Let the frail flowers in silence minister.

III

Ah ! well-a-day, she with the flowers must hide ;

Far out of sight, among dark hidden things Where rootlets creep and grow, she must abide

Till from her fading form new vigor springs. So green the grass above the crumbling mould ; A few white lilies in the pale hands fold,

The hands that shall again the lilies bring.

THE CROSS.

IV. Ah ! well-a-day, so soon to say farewell

To the sad lips that answer not again ; Does she not hear ? Alas ! she cannot tell,

She will not speak to us of joy or pain, She will not speak, she will not breathe or sigh We call in vain, the dead make no reply :

They feel no sun, they feel no falling rain. We stand and weep by them a little while,

Then in the cold dark earth we la}^ away The face that cannot weep but only smile,

Waiting the coming of perpetual day.

THE CROSS.

V

Ah ! well-a-day, when Death doth walk so near,

Why should we grieve so much ? why should we chide ?

Laid in the grave, equals we shall appear —

The strong and weak alike in earth must hide —

When from thy heart a slender lily grows,

Then from my breast shall spring a fadeless rose, And sweetly they will bloom there side by side,

Shedding their fragrance on the summer air ;

Perchance some child will watch them growing there, While we, unconsciously, in sleep repose.

THE CROSS.

VI

Ah ! well-a-day, the night is now far spent, The rays of the new morning swift advance,

And we must fold the curtains of our tent

To travel onward armed with spear and lance ;

We know not when our journey shall be done,

But we must travel onward, every one —

The pageant moves like slow majestic dance.

VII. Ah ! well-a-day, one common fate for all

Smiles, tears and joys, and then a bier and shroud

Whatever chance, this surely shall befall, We must pass out of sight beyond the cloud.

Then since our destiny doth make us one.

Let us forgive the ills that each hath done ; Before the face of unrelenting Death Let us use well our little grant of breath,

Till each shall go where none can him recall.

THE CROSS.

VIII

Ah ! well-a-day, our life doth pass so soon — The morning past, comes on the sultry noon, And then the shades of evening settle down. Ah ! chide me not, I cannot bear thy frown, Knowing the day of parting must soon come : The " passing bell " shall toll one spirit home, And then the peace of death our love shall crown. Death that wipes out all stains and scars, shall make The soul at peace, e'en though the torn heart ache ; There is a majesty in that last sleep That bids us honour it, e'en while we weep Above the face that never more shall wake, Until the everlasting morning break.

THE CROSS.

IX. Ah ! well-a-day, we all must enter in

The self-same door ; the living do but wait To follow thee ; thy life doth now begin ;

O, thou who now hast passed within the gate, The quick stand sobbing round the helpless clay That must so soon in earth be laid away,

Yet they themselves do wait to meet that fate, Whil'st thou perchance art tasting perfect day,

With angels that thy coming celebrate, Rejoiced to bear thee from the realm of sin.

THE CROSS.

X

Ah ! well-a-day, we do but battle here, Waging long war against satanic power,

And every inch we gain doth cost us dear,

While life keeps ebbing from us hour by hour.

Oh ! when at last upon the ground I'm laid,

Count not the wounds that sin in me hath made, But only look to find the Holy Cross — Christ gave it me, I shall not suffer loss,

Nor shall the hour of death make me afraid, If I may hold that fast — his precious dower.

XL

Ah ! well-a-day, that Cross was made for me — Symbol so strong, its weight I scarce can bear

And it was carved from out the very tree

Whereon my Lord was nailed ; yet do I dare

To place it on my lips and on my breast ;

O Saviour in thy Cross can I find rest ? Yea, rest, eternal Lord for thou art there ;

That Cross was made and carved by mine own sin,

And yet I find my Saviour's face therein ;

From out my blackened darkness shines His face, And risen glory lightens death's own place.

XII

gladsome day ! the resurrection morn ;

From Mother Death, O Christ ! thou art firstborn- Firstborn of Mary, blessed fruit of womb — Firstborn of Mara, bursting from the tomb. Hast thou not come to call my spirit forth, From shades of night to give me risen birth ? Though I be dead, by sin's destruction slain, Breathe on me, Lord, and I shall live again ; Say but " arise," and, Saviour, in thy might,

1 shall go forth clothed with the Son's own light.

XIII

glorious day ! when risen flesh shall be Re-moulded in thine image like to thee ; When sons of God thy glory manifest, When eyes can see and read the vision blest Of Thee, O Lord, in likeness as thou art,

1 shall be satisfied with every part When I awake perfected by thine eye

Which heart and reins doth search, and searching try,

I shall be satisfied ; do thou create

The creature new in me — new Adam's mate.

I kiss the Cross whereon my Saviour died ;

I kiss the Cross where God was justified ;

Though man's most hideous act hath nailed him there,

His love hath made that place of darkness fair,

His love hath made Golgotha's gloom to shine,

The barren tomb brings forth the man Divine.

1 6

SUB SILENTIO.

I.

Good-bye, my silent one,

Thy silence speaks for thee More than earth's loudest tone, More than the groaning sea ; Thy stilly silence reaches from afar, Piercing my soul like beams from northern star.

Good-bye to lips grown still,

Good-bye to saddened eyes, Good-bye to the stern will Stifling the deep heart-cries ; Thy silence teaches me the better part, Thy silence reaches me where'er thou art.

SUB SILENTIO. 17

When in the pale midnight

The moon shines calm and cold, When with her mantle white, Winter the earth doth fold ; Viewing the frozen scene I feel thee near - Visions of spring upon the hills appear.

Fetter thy spirit free, Clasp it in chains, Yet would it speak to me Through frost and rains, Through fire and flood, through seas, through

desert sand, Thy spirit seeks my heart — its native land.

Nowhere beneath the skies

Can it repose, Save sunk within mine eyes, Under the rose — A sacred flower that guards where true love sleeps, And ever vigil for the faithful keeps.

SUB SILENTIO.

'Biding our time, we wait,

Sundered, yet one, Futures shall compensate, God's Will be done ; The path of duty we are strong to tread, There shall we find from Him our daily bread.

Father, watch over us,

Guard us from sin, Keep us and cover us, Close us within ; Upon the floods thy doves can find no rest, Open the ark and hide us in thy breast.

THE CHERUBIM.

EZEKIEL I. X.

Out of the whirlwind from the north,

Out of the amber fire, O Cherubim, shine forth, shine forth,

Moving with one desire.

Under the deep blue sapphire stone,

Under the crystal sea, Under the Man upon the Throne

Shine forth with will set free.

Eight wings are lifted up on high,

Kissing in close embrace ; Eight wings do cover as they fly —

Cherub with fourfold face.

THE CHERUBIM.

Angel and man and beast and bird, With powers of instant flight,

They moved, the noise of wings I heard, And saw the flash of light.

Under the firmament they stood, Their wings were folded down ;

On each side two, on each side two ; Above, a fiery crown.

They moved, they went, I heard the sound

Of many waters rush ; The Voice whose richest tones abound

Where living fountains gush.

The voice, as of a multitude ;

The noise as of a host ; They went as by one power imbued,

Moved by the Holy Ghost.

THE CHERUBIM. s

The cloud of glory round them shone.

Encircled by the bow ; The Voice spake now, as from the Throne,

The Spirit made them go.

The Spirit went, the creature went,

The fourfold power o'ercame, Lifting from earth in high ascent.

Receivers of the Name.

O fourfold power ! O fourfold life !

Long, long have ye withstood The balance that could heal your strife,

The unity of good.

O fourfold life ! O fourfold power !

Under the firmament The whirlwind and the fiery hour

Know when your spirits blent.

THE CHERUBIM.

Under the shining sapphire stone,

Under the crystal sea, Under the Man upon the Throne,

Shine forth with will set free.

PURIFICATION.

I do not ask to stand within thy sight,

O my beloved, as I once have stood,

Holding thy love — crown of my womanhood, And clothed with woven wonders of delight ; I would not wield my sceptre, if I might,

Commanding thee to see only my good ;

Nor feed thee now with that supernal food Grown where celestial day absorbs the night ; Nay, now my soul must dwell in valleys low

Till purging fires do cleanse away its stains, While ceaseless tears, that like sad rivers flow,

Bring penitence and its strong healing pains ; My darkest sin I there shall learn to know,

And from what pit my soul its heaven regains.

2 4

PALM SUNDAY.

I.

Thy spirit keeps its tryst with mine, Thy heart doth call me home,

Thy love doth comfort me like wine, Oh ! gladly will I come ;

My soul like the swift hind doth flee,

Climbing its heights to dwell with thee.

Thine eyes do glow with heavenly light

Fairer than moon or star, Tlry goodly countenance made bright

With beauty nought can mar, The holy rapture of thy face Portrays thy soul's immortal grace.

My head is laid upon thy breast,

And woes of parting fade ; With peace of God and holy rest,

Our anguish is repaid ; Our struggling hearts we did uplift To Him, and now He gives His gift.

We find our home builded on high ;

Cleansed by the fires of love, We reach the City in the sky —

Jerusalem above — Our Mother, whose illumined law Has purged away each stain and flaw.

We pass within the pearly gates,

We walk the golden streets ; The world and its contrary fates

And sorrows now retreats ; Its strife and discord fade away In visions of eternal day.

Together, 'neath the living Tree, We pluck the sacred fruit ;

Eternal now our life shall be, Grown from one holy root ;

In Him we move and breathe and live,

To Him our aspirations give.

With one desire we move to Him —

The Author of our joy — Our brightness now shall never dim,

Our gold know no alloy, Nor death nor hell can work us harm Beneath the everlasting arm.

He died for us, in Him we die ;

He lives and is our life ; He has ascended up on high —

The conqueror of all strife ; The everlasting Prince of Peace, Whose coming makes all wars to cease.

Two holy hearts begin His reign, Two hearts, where love doth dwell,

Exalted beyond earthly pain, Redeemed from death and hell ;

In stainless hearts He finds His home, —

Immarmel ! Thy kingdom come !

PALM SUNDAY.

II.

There's not a cloud in the sky,

Mild is the balmy air ; Thy spirit draweth nigh,

Borne on the wings of prayer ; The sky above, like a sapphire stone Shines blue, deep blue, as the shining Throne And the day is calm and still, Calm as my heart and will.

The Church's door I enter And gaze at the Church's centre — The Altar, pure and white, Where gleams the warm sunlight Filtered through crimson and purple panes,- The steps are bright with its rainbow stains : And behind the great palm branches green Spread, and the Cross of Calvary screen — The Cross now hidden there, That soon will shine so bare.

I kneel, and the first far-distant notes Of the choir are heard, and the music floats Adown the aisles, and Paradise Seems near, so near ; O heart, arise ! Thy Lord and Saviour draweth nigh, Fling down thy palms before His feet ;

PALM SUNDAY. ig

Lo ! the desire of every eye

Doth come ; rise, make His pathway sweet, With garments the rough way cover, Spread the fig trees' branches over, And the willows of the brook ; Judah's prevailing Lion Is coming unto Zion, Meekly upon the ass, Down the steep mountain pass,

And gentle is His look ; Hosanna ! shout Hosanna !

And down the branches fling, Hosanna to the Highest !

Oh welcome, David's King !

We kneel together there,

Thy spirit close to mine, And from my heart escapes a prayer — " Union in the Divine " ;

May God's own body heal us twain.

And make us one in Him again ;

O mystic bread and wine

That art to us the sign Of perfect union in the Lord ; The Bride by her dear Spouse adored,

Now cleansed by His pure blood,

Strengthened by that sweet food, Feels, with ecstatic thrill, His Will absorb her will,

Feels the Incarnate Word Subdue her veins and holy zeal, Pants for the hour that shall reveal

The Bridegroom and the Bride.

" I shall be satisfied When I awake ' — O thought too deep For human words ; in silence keep

And treasure in thine heart The Word now given,

Choosing the " better part,"

Give earth for heaven.

Lord, in Thy path I fling

Palms, and Hosannas sing ;

Rule now, O Israel's King.

"The poor shall not ahvay be forgotten; the patient abiding of the meek shall not perish forever."

"Arise, O Lord God, and lift up thine hand : forget not the poor."

Did I dream — that long ago

Thou and I were one ?

That in an evil hour, Under satanic power,

An evil deed was done ?

Did I dream or do I know ?

Time passes slow, Yet many years are gone ;

I was so young,

And one with serpent tongue And serpent ways

A DREAM.

Took all my life's young days, Did me this wrong : O heart, be strong !

Death will not tarry long.

Yea, was my young life slain ?

Yea, was I taken

Ere love could awaken ?

Bound with a chain ; O, cruel pain !

Seized as a lamb might be

By eager foe ; Death sets its victim free ;

But death, ah, woe !

Came not to me,

And slow, so slow The weary years went by as still they go.

And did I dream ? Oh ! why

With sorrow saddened Did mine eye meet thine eye ?

Why was all gladdened ?

The rose blooms but to die.

My chain I ever wear, My sorrow I must bear ;

Flesh of his flesh and spirit of thy spirit,

What can my soul inherit ?

What can I call from out the empty air ?

Ah ! what in life or death can my soul merit ? What but dumb woe, what but a dumb despair ?

Ah, no ! God makes us not for woe,

He will not leave me so.

I am not vanquished quite

By mortal pain ; I cleave unto the right,

Though I be slain ; I'll live within God*s sight,

And bear my chain.

Living within God"s sight,

I shall be free ; Lord, make my dark way light, Unveil to me Thy Will, I yearn with passion for the right, Make blind eves see.

Shall I live here but for a little space,

And then in other realms and spheres awake ? There shall 1 meet my loved one, face to face ?

Mv thirst be quenched that nought on earth can slake ? Captivity long borne, The resurrection morn A thousand thousand chains shall snap and break ; The captives shall go free In righteous liberty When God the heavens and the earth shall shake.