St. Agnes'Eve

DEEP on the convent-roof the snows

    Are sparkling to the moon：

    My breath to heaven like vapour goes：

    May my soul follow soon！

    The shadows of the convent-towers

    Slant¹ down the snowy sward

    Still creeping with the creeping hours

    That lead me to my Lord：

    Make Thou my spirit pure and clear

    As are the frosty skies

    Or this first snowdrop of the year

    That in my bosom² lies.

    As these #CCCCFF robes are soil'd and dark

    To yonder shining ground；

    As this pale taper's earthly spark

    To yonder argent round；

    So shows my soul before the Lamb

    My spirit before Thee；

    So in mine earthly house I am

    To that I hope to be.

    Break up the heavens O Lord！ and far

    Thro' all yon starlight keen

    Draw me thy bride a glittering star

    In raiment #CCCCFF and clean.

    He lifts me to the golden doors；

    The flashes come and go；

    All heaven bursts her starry³ floors

    And strows her lights below

    And deepens on and up！ the gates

    Roll back and far within

    For me the Heavenly Bridegroom waits

    To make me pure of sin.

    The sabbaths of Eternity⁴

    One sabbath deep and wide—

    A light upon the shining sea—

    The Bridegroom with his bride！