Jützi Schultheiss
Silent awhile in awe and fear,
While swiftly nearer and more near
Descended God. A stream of white
Shining, intolerable light
Blinded mine eyes and all grew dim
While, stilled in trance, I dwelt with Him
A little time in perfect peace;
Then, fold by fold, the dark withdrew,
I felt the heavenly blessing cease.
And angels swiftly bear me through
The dizzy air in lightning flight
Till here I woke, and it was night.
My mother wept beside my bed.
My brothers prayed; for I was dead.
Then, when my soul was given back,
I cried, as wretches on the rack
Cry in the last quick wrench of pain,
And breathed, and looked, and lived again.
Ah me, what tears of joy there fell!
How they all cried, "A miracle!"
And kissed me given back to earth.
The dearer for that second birth
To her who bore me first. Ah me.
How glad we were! Then Anthony,
My brother, spoke: "What God has given,"
He said, "let us restore to Heaven."
And, as he spoke, beneath the rod
I bowed, and gave myself to God.
Not suddenly the gift returned.
Alas ! methinks too much I yearned
For the old earthly joys, the home
That I had left for evermore;
The garden with its herbs, and store
Of hives filled full of honeycomb;
The lambs and calves that chiefly were.
Of all we had, my special care;
My brothers, too, all left behind,
213
