Part 25

And when she gazed with wondering eye, And questioned whence and where and why, Love answered thus: ‘All Heaven is made By thoughts on earth; your walls were laid, Year after year, of purest gold; The beauty of your mind behold In this fair palace; ay, and more Waits farther on, so vast your store. I was not worthy when I died To take my place here at your side; I toiled through long and weary years From lower planes to these high spheres; And through the love you sent from earth I have attained a second birth. Oft when my erring soul would tire I felt the strength of your desire; I heard you breathe my name in prayer, And courage conquered weak despair. Ah! earth needs heaven, but heaven indeed Of earth has just as great a need.’

Across the terrace with a bound There sped a lambkin and a hound (Dumb comrades of the old earth land) And fondled her caressing hand.

‘YOU LOVED THEM INTO PARADISE’ Was answered to her questioning eyes; ‘You taught them love; love has no end! Nor does love’s life on form depend. If there be mortal without love, He wakes to no new life above. If love in humbler things exist, It must through other realms persist Until all love rays merge in HIM. Hark! Hear the heavenly Cherubim!’

Then hushed and awed, with joy so vast It knew no future and no past, She stood amidst the radiant throng That came to swell love’s welcoming song— This humble soul from earth’s far coast The centre of the heavenly host.

On earth they see her grave and say: ‘She lies there till the judgment day;’ Nor dream, so limited their thought, What miracles by love are wrought.

* * * * *

* * * * *

Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty at the Edinburgh University Press.