The Ascension. While they beheld he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.-ACTS 1. 9. BRIGHT portals of the sky, Embossed with sparkling stars; Doors of eternity, With diamantine bars, Your arras rich uphold: Loose all your bolts and springs, Ope wide your leaves of gold, That in your roofs may come the King of kings. Scarfed in a rosy cloud, He doth ascend the air, With her resplendent hair; The next encrystalled light Submits to him its beams, And He doth trace the height Of that fair lamp which flames of beauty streams. He towers those golden bounds He did to sun bequeath; THE ASCENSION. The higher wandering rounds Are found his feet beneath: That robed in glory Heaven's King may ascend. Oh well-spring of this All! Thy Father's image vive, Word, that from nought did call What is, doth reason live! The soul's eternal food, What was dismarshaled late Is From Hath re-obtained the same, Streams which diverted were And troubled, stayed unclean) their first source, by Thee home-turned are. By Thee that blemish old, Of Eden's leprous prince, And him exiled from thence, 241 242 THE ASCENSION. Now put away is far; With sword in ireful guise, No cherub more shall bar Now each ethereal gate, To Him hath opened been; His palace enters in ; To the Most Holy Place, Not without blood addressed. With glory heaven, the earth to crown with grace. Stars which all eyes were, late, And did with wonder burn, His name to celebrate In flaming tongues, their turn. Their orby crystals move More active than before, And, entheate* from above, Their sovereign Prince laud, glorify, adore. The choirs of happy souls, Waked with that music sweet, Whose descant care controls, Their Lord in triumph meet The spotless spirits of light, His trophies do extol, *Divinely inspired. THE ASCENSION. And arched in squadrons bright, Greet their great Victor in his capitol. Oh, glory of the heaven! Oh, sole delight of earth! To thee all power be given, God's uncreated birth: Of mankind lover true, Endurer of his wrong, Who dost the world renew, From top of Olivet such notes did rise, *Died 1649. William Drummond.* 243 Ascended into Heaven. RISE glorious, Conqueror, rise Assume thy right; And when in many a fold The clouds are backward rolled Pass through the gates of gold, And reign in light! Victor o'er death and hell! Cherubic legions swell The radiant train: Praises all heaven inspire; Thou lamb once slain! Enter incarnate God! No feet but thine have trod The serpent down: Blow the full trumpets, blow! And take thy crown. |