This hast thou seen, Beloved John, and we
Look up in faith, and worship reverently:
That which for us is passing, was for thee
A present, awful, glad Solemnity -
And present, now as then, the same must be.
What past or future unto us may be,
Lies in the Vision of Eternity,
All tending to one end; and that shall be
The triumph of the Kingdom, which to thee
Was mirrored in that clear and glassy sea.
* * *
Thus stoopeth Heaven to serve us instantly
Who were but shadows on that sunlit Sea.
Who doth not hope with ardour he might be
One of the multitude whom John did see,
Palm-bearing, white-robed, Sons of Victory?
Oh, in the past, as now, we surely see
How all is in God's keeping: verily,
That which is done, is done by His decree:
But would we triumph, bound are we to be
Champions on His Right Hand, undauntingly.
God worketh not without us: we are free.
But in our freedom, we can never be
Aught but the slaves of sin-wrought destiny,
Did we not work with Him, as heirs to be
With Him, and in Him, indivisibly.
O Virgin Mother, let me beg of thee
To help me in my strivings. Thou canst be
The Refuge of the feeble. Unto thee
Is given the sceptre. Hold it out to me;
And lend me courage as I sing of thee.
Lo, in those ages long gone by I see
How thou wert hidden. Strife was not for thee.
Thy Sun was gaining strength; and secretly
Thou dravedst mists away, that thus might be
Proclaimed the Incarnate God, victoriously.
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote