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PAX IN NOVISSIMO.

"He gave her therewith a sure token that he was a true messenger, and was come to bid her make haste to be gone. The token was an arrow, sharpened with love, let easily into her heart;—so Christiana knew that her time was come."



Not like the rulers of our vanities
At earthly feasts, art Thou, O Love Divine;
These pour their best at first, and still decline
At each full-flowing draught, till only lees
Of bitterness remain, but Thou dost please
To keep unto the last Thy richest wine.

And now, this grace-cup, crowned with flowers, o'erflows
To meet my lips, the music never fell
More sweet, yet from the banquet, ere its close,
I rise to bid the company farewell;
I see no sign, I hear no warning bell,
No airy tongue my Summoner hath been.
Yet all my soul by cords invisible
Is drawn the surer unto One unseen;

For oh, my Father! whom I have desired
By night, and sought for early, not through Man