I heard a voice both soft and sweet,
Whilst on my couch I lay reclined,
It called on me to rise and meet
The Saviour of Mankind.
So through the trees I silent stole,
In vain to speak, for through me ran
A rapture I could fain control,
Was I to meet the Man.
I saw Him standing straight and still,
The solemn trees all shone around,
And then He turned, “Come, fear no ill,”
I fell upon the ground.
He bade me rise, ” Come unto me,”
Gently He drew me close and said:
“Why have you thus forsaken Me,
And lived for lust instead?”
“We have not spoken, little child,
Together thus, for many a day,
But I have watched your wanderings wild,
Although you ceased to pray.
I saw you pass the Entrance wide
The shudder with remorse and pain.
Now that you see Me at your side.
Come love Me once again.”
Only the stars could see us there
In that cathedral of the trees,
“Come, promise, e’er the day appear,
To banish sloth and ease,
To fight and smile at blows and pain,
To laugh and live and die for Me,
For only thus can you attain
My follower to be.”
The solemn voice rang in my ears,
I clasped His Hands, and weeping swore,
That to the end of all my years,
I’d shirk the fight no more,
(R S Ward)
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