Embertide

I saw a Saint.—How canst thou tell that he Thou sawest was a Saint?— I saw one like to Christ so luminously By patient deeds of love, his mortal taint Seemed made his groundwork for humility.

And when he marked me downcast utterly Where foul I sat and faint, Then more than ever Christ-like kindled he; And welcomed me as I had been a saint, Tenderly stooping low to comfort me.

Christ bade him, “Do thou likewise.” Wherefore he Waxed zealous to acquaint His soul with sin and sorrow, if so be He might retrieve some latent saint:— “Lo, I, with the child God hath given to me!”