The Pearl | Page 8

hath so rich and rare,?What is this Lamb, that thou hast told?How for wedded wife He called thee there??Above all others dost thou make bold,?As His chosen lady His life to share??So many, comely in combs of gold,?For Christ have lived in strife and care,?Must these to a lower place repair,?That never any with Him may wed,?Save only thyself, so proud and fair,?Peerless Queen, and unblemished?"
XIV
"Unblemished," answered she again,?"Without a spot of black or gray,?With honour may I this maintain;?But 'peerless Queen' I did not say.?Brides of the Lamb in bliss we reign,?An hundred and forty thousand gay,?As in the Apocalypse is made plain,?Saint John beheld them on a day;?On the hill of Zion he saw them stay,?In vision his spirit looked on them,?For the wedding clad in bright-array,?At the city of New Jerusalem."
"Of Jerusalem in speech I tell;?And what He is if thou wouldst see--?My Lamb, my Lord, my dear Jewel,?My Joy, my Love, my Bliss so free,--?The prophet Isaiah writeth well?Of His most mild humility:?'Guiltless, when men upon Him fell?For never a fault nor felony,?As a sheep to the slaughter led was He;?Quiet, the while the crowd contemn,?As a lamb in the shearer's hands might be,?He was judged by Jews in Jerusalem.'"
"In Jerusalem was my Lover slain,?Rent on the rood by ruffians bold;?To bear our ills He was full fain,?To suffer our sorrows manifold;?Buffeted until blood did stain?That face so lovely to behold;?He took upon Him all sin and pain,?Even He of Whom not one sin is told;?On the rude cross stretched faint and cold,?He let men deride him and condemn;?Meek as a lamb, betrayed and sold,?He died for us in Jerusalem."
"At Jerusalem, Jordan and Galilee,?Wherever Saint John came to baptize,?His words with Isaiah's words agree.?On Jesus he lifted up his eyes,?Speaking of Him this prophecy:?'Behold the Lamb of God!' he cries:?'Who bears the world's sins, this is He!?The guilt of all upon Him lies,?Though He wrought evil in no wise.?The branches springing from that stem?Who can recount? 'T is He who dies?For our sake in Jerusalem.'"
"In Jerusalem my Lover sweet?Twice as a lamb did thus appear,?Even as the prophets both repeat,?So meek the mien that He did wear;?The third time also, as is meet,?In the Revelation is written clear.?Reading a book on His high seat?Midmost the throne that saints ensphere,?The Apostle John beheld Him near;?That book seven sacred seals begem;?And at that sight all folk felt fear?In hell, in earth and Jerusalem."
XV
This Jerusalem Lamb had never stain?Of other hue than perfect white,?That showeth neither streak nor strain?Of soil, but is like wool to sight;?And souls that free of sin remain?The Lamb receiveth with delight;?And, though each day a group we gain,?There comes no strife for room nor right,?Nor rivalry our bliss to blight.?The more the merrier, I profess.?In company our love grows bright,?In honour more and never less.
"Lessening of bliss no comer brings?To us who bear this pearl at breast;?Nor show they flaws nor tarnishings?Who wear such pure pearls like a crest.?Though round our corpses the clay clings,?And though ye mourn us without rest,?Knowledge have we of goodly things.?Through the first death our hope we test;?Grief goes; at each mass we are blest?By the Lamb Who gives us happiness;?The bliss of each is bright and best,?And no one's honour is the less."
"That thou my tale the less may doubt,?In the Revelation 'tis told, and more:?'I saw,' says John, 'a goodly rout?The hill of Zion covering o'er,?The Lamb, with maidens round about,?An hundred thousand and forty and four,?And each brow, fairly written out,?The Lamb's name and His Father's bore.?Then a sound from heaven I heard outpour,?As streams, full laden, foam and press,?Or as thunders among dark crags roar,?The tumult was, and nothing less."
"'Nathless, though high that shout might ring,?And loud the voices sounding near,?A strain full new I heard them sing,?And sweet and strange it was to hear.?Like harper's hands upon the string?Was that new song they sang so clear;?The noble notes went vibrating,?And gentle words came to my ear.?Close by God's throne, without one fear,?Where the four beasts His power confess,?And the elders stand so grave of cheer,?They sang their new song, none the less."
"'Nathless is none with skill so fine,?For all the crafts that ever he knew,?That of that song might sing a line;?Save these that hold the Lamb in view;?From earth brought to that land divine,?As first fruits that to God are due,?They serve the Lamb and bear His sign,?As like Himself in face and hue;?For never lying nor tale untrue?Defiled their lips in life's distress;'?Whatever might move them, they but drew?Nearer the Master, none the less."
"Nevertheless, speak out I must,?My Pearl, though queries rude I pose.?To try thy fair wit were unjust?Whom Christ to His own chamber chose.?Behold, I am but dung and dust,?And thou a rare and radiant rose,?Abiding here in life, and