Rose pendent in calm of the sun,
(A type of my holiest thought)
Fair substance and emblem in one,—
Sweet rose—sweet soul without spot!
Sweetness of beauty of God
Both over and under the sod.
Each moulded in earth's cloud and shine,
White fulness of being complete,
Love's rose of beauty divine!
Thy past, but evolvings sweet,
Now, moment of essence for aye,
Thy future, eternity's day!
O rose in the mirror of time—
Calm image from under the sod—
O form of eternal prime,
All-peaceful beauty of God,—
Fulness of seventy times seven,
Made without hands, in the heaven!
What though thy time-garment fade
And vanish from out of my sight,
Thy beauty shall never know shade
With the Chief of the sons of light—
Redeemed from under the sod,
Ravishing beauty of God!