Advent

Earth grown old, yet still so green, Deep beneath her crust of cold Nurses fire unfelt, unseen: Earth grown old.

We who live are quickly told: Millions more lie hid between Inner swathings of her fold.

When will fire break up her screen? When will life burst thro’ her mould? Earth, earth, earth, thy cold is keen, Earth grown old.

Sooner or later: yet at last The Jordan must be past;

It may be he will overflow His banks the day we go;

It may be that his cloven deep Will stand up on a heap.

Sooner or later: yet one day We all must pass that way;

Each man, each woman, humbled, pale, Pass veiled within the veil;

Child, parent, bride, companion, Alone, alone, alone.

For none a ransom can be paid, A suretyship be made:

I, bent by mine own burden, must Enter my house of dust;

I, rated to the full amount, Must render mine account.

When earth and sea shall empty all Their graves of great and small;

When earth wrapped in a fiery flood Shall no more hide her blood;

When mysteries shall be revealed; All secrets be unsealed;

When things of night, when things of shame, Shall find at last a name,

Pealed for a hissing and a curse Throughout the universe:

Then Awful Judge, most Awful God, Then cause to bud Thy rod,

To bloom with blossoms, and to give Almonds; yea, bid us live.

I plead Thyself with Thee, I plead Thee in our utter need:

Jesus, most Merciful of Men, Show mercy on us then;

Lord God of Mercy and of men, Show mercy on us then.