I saw a great white throne and One thereon
Before whose face all earth-things fled away!
Thrice blessed seer, to lift our gaze upon
Reality and the immortal day
When earth, the so-called heaven, and all their host
Pass—as a ghostly shade—before the light;
And their presumptuous power and idle boast,
Disproved, vanish before the awakened sight.
Nor had thy consciousness one place where aught
Unlike its perfect Maker might appear.
Death and his helper, sickness, from thy thought
Fled, with their procreants, hatred, anger, fear.
But say, thou privileged of Jesus' breast,
What footsteps led to where thou hast discerned
Truth so profound? In this devoted quest
What love, obedience, discipline, were learned?
For I would walk in this unworldly road,
From every vain or rebel thought secure;
Dwell in the sonship that God hath bestowed,
And purify myself as man is pure;
And learn how in the lowly place I move,
Each unneglected step, each high desire,
Each happy thing—which now I humbly prove—
Insures the benediction, Go up higher!
