7,7,7,7,7,7

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." -- 1 Cor.2:9.

"Was kein Auge hat gesehen."

[56]Lange.

transl., Jane Borthwick, 1855

What no human eye hath seen,

What no mortal ear hath beard,

What on thought hath never been

In its noblest flights conferred --

This hath God prepared in store

For His people evermore!

When the shaded Pilgrim-land

Fades before my closing eye,

Then reveal'd on either hand

Heaven's own scenery shall lie;

Then the veil of flesh shall fall,

Now concealing, darkening all.

Heavenly landscapes, calmly bright,

Life's pure river murmuring low,

Forms of loveliness and light,

Lost to earth long time ago;

Yes, mine own, lamented long,

Shine amid the angel throng!

Many a joyful sight was given,

Many a lovely vision here --

Hill, and vale, and starry even,

Friendship's smile, Affection's tear;

These were shadows, sent in love,

Of realities above!

When upon my wearied ear

Earth's last echoes faintly die,

Then shall angel-harps draw near --

All the chorus of the sky;

Long-hushed voices blend again,

Sweetly, in that welcome-strain.

Here were sweet and varied tones,

Bird, and breeze, and fountain's fall,

Yet creation's travail-groans

Ever sadly sigh'd through all.

There no discord jars the air --

Hrmony is perfect there!

When thus aching heart shall rest,

All its busy pulses o'er,

From her mortal robes undresst

Shall my spirit upward soar.

Then shall unimagined joy

All my thoughts and powers employ.

Here devotion's healing balm

Often came to soothe my breast --

Hours of deep and holy calm,

Earnests of eternal rest.

But the bliss was here unknown,

Which shall there be all my own!

Jesus reigns, the Life, the Sun

Of that wondrous world above;

All the clouds and storms are gone,

All is light, and all is love.

All the shadows melt away

In the blaze of perfect day!