| UNDER the flaming wings of cherubim | |
| I moved toward that high altar. O, the hour! | |
| And the light waxed intenser, and the dim | |
| Low edges of the hills and the grey sea | |
| Were caught and captur’d by the present Power, | 5 |
| My sureties and my witnesses to be. | |
| |
| Then the light drew me in. Ah, perfect pain! | |
| Ah, infinite moment of accomplishment! | |
| Thou terror of pure joy, with neither wane | |
| Nor waxing, but long silence and sharp air | 10 |
| As womb-forsaking babes breathe. Hush! the event | |
| Let him who wrought Love’s marvellous things declare. | |
| |
| Shall I who fear’d not joy, fear grief at all? | |
| I on whose mouth Life laid his sudden lips | |
| Tremble at Death’s weak kiss, and not recall | 15 |
| That sundering from the flesh, the flight from time, | |
| The judgements stern, the clear apocalypse, | |
| The lightnings, and the Presences sublime. | |
| |
| How came I back to earth? I know not how, | |
| Nor what hands led me, nor what words were said. | 20 |
| Now all things are made mine,—joy, sorrow; now | |
| I know my purpose deep, and can refrain; | |
| I walk among the living, not the dead; | |
| My sight is purged; I love and pity men. | |
