User:Joe Spencer/Now abideth...

From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
Jump to: navigation, search 
  Now abideth...
  
  I have the gift of prophecy,
  and understand all mysteries,
  all knowledge, too, I have, and faith,
  so that to mountain I removed,
  where once I saw (by what God saith)
  that I am nothing.  There God proved
  my very soul, and showed to me
  creation's wonder.  I shew thee.
  
  The wat'ry deep in sharp travail
  brought forth the earth, a stony grail,
  in which the sun poured mighty wine
  that softened rock, and mixed a mud,
  which shone so crimson, pure and fine,
  that soil was seen to look like blood
  had swept it o'er: what once was pale 
  was now called good, right rich and hale.
  
  Then day arose, and every light
  of firmament forsook the night
  and gathered whence wine first was poured,
  together shining with a fire
  to bake the clay, now shaped by Lord
  of heaven's planetary lyre,
  and flames engulfed the very site
  (beneath the head) of image bright.
  
  As now I sing to cymbal's crash, 
  my tongue joins in with sounding brass,
  a cloven tongue, now twice to speak
  to men's and angels' ears alike:
  a word I breathe, though I be weak,
  straight forth from lips as rod shall strike,
  and nations all shall, as a class,
  hear my odd words, their Balaam's ass.
  
  For next the wind came rushing down,
  and silent image, made of ground,
  was heard to speak, to answer call,
  to give response with moving mouth,
  and said (I say, I heard it all):
  I knew not north, I knew not south,
  nor east, nor west; but at the sound
  of Thy sweet voice, I was not found.
  
  He wore an apron, cov'ring o'er
  created image, mark of more
  than ever had been given in 
  the shaping work of God, and he
  would fain have claimed it not a sin
  that more to flaunt, pretend to be.
  And so my soul him did abhor,
  not only then, but as before.
  
  Now, singing, I this song bestow
  upon the poor, and give it so
  to bind their broken hearts, to give
  a light to them in darkness deep,
  and so to cause their souls to live,
  while with a besom I might sweep
  destruction on the rich I know,
  like image this, such idle show.
  
  But suddenly I see--what's this?--
  a whirlwind, and holy kiss
  exchanged between the storm and him,
  and words unclear, and spoken to--
  not me--but him.  For me grows dim
  the light of fire that once I knew
  on mountain top.  And now I miss 
  the glory known before in bliss.
  
  The light returns, but not for me
  to see by, but for me to see,
  for flame ascends in sacrifice,
  and whirlwind voice now calls my name,
  and bids me give me body (thrice),
  bids burn my flesh on altar's flame:
  the image, now, is clearly He,
  the Adam Last, pure Charity.
Retrieved from "http://feastupontheword.org/index.php?title=User:Joe_Spencer/Now_abideth...&oldid=66217"