At the beautiful gate and other songs of faith / Lucy Larcom [electronic text]

THE IMMORTAL NOW.

SIT not blindfold, Soul, and sigh For the immortal By-and-by! Dreamer, seek not heaven afar On the shores of some strange star! This a star is — this, thine Earth! Here the germ awakes to birth Of God's sacred life in thee — Heir of immortality!

Inmost heaven its radiance pours Round thy windows, at thy doors, Asking but to be let in; Waiting to flood out thy sin; Offering thee unfailing health, Love's refreshment, boundless wealth: Voices at thy life's gate say, "Be immortal, Soul, to-day!"

Thou canst shut the splendor out; Darken every room with doubt; From the entering angels hide Under tinseled wefts of pride; While the pure in heart behold God in every flower unfold;

While the poor His kingdom share, Reigning with Him everywhere.

Oh, let Christ and sunshine in! Let His love its sweet way win! Nothing human is too mean To receive the King unseen: Not a pleasure or a care But celestial robes may wear; Impulse, thought, and action may Live immortally to-day.

Balance not in scales of time Deathless destinies sublime! What vague future can weigh down This great Now that is thine own? Love were miserly that gave Only gifts beyond the grave. Heaven makes every earth-plant thrive; All things are in God alive.

Oh, the stifled bliss and mirth At the weary heart of Earth, We, her children, might awake! Songs would from her bosom break; Toil, unfettered from its curse, God's glad purpose would rehearse, If with Him we understood Of creation — "It is good."

Soul, perceive thy perfect hour! Let thy life burst into flower!

Heaven is opening to bestow More than thou canst think or know. Now to thy true height arise! Enter now thy Paradise! In to-day, to-morrow see, Now is immortality!