To a Lady, LII

These that from great afflictions came, The martyrs with their tongues of flame, And spirits of the Just, as well, In companies innumerable; With our still further voices blend, All one with those that there ascend. I heard their clouds of song arise In full liturgic sacrifice! One song from all their legions given Came rolling through the deep of Heaven; And far as vision’d eye could gaze, Alike they worshipp’d in amaze; And holy lauds, that I could hear Far off the same, the same a-near, Uprose before the living throne, Where dwells the Infinite Unknown; Where lives in light—the nameless Name, Whose presence is a burning flame, A flame of love—a flame of fire, A God of mercy—and of ire!