Page:Poems Brown.djvu/64

And by the "boatman," pale and old,
 We reach that unseen shore.

I would mine earthly eyes could see
 The beauties of that place;
The crystal river flowing clear,
 Past the temple of God's grace.

But it is ordered otherwise;
 And by His hand alone
Can we behold this dazzling place,
 Or sit beside His throne.

"I am the Way, the Truth, the Life:
 For you I suffered death;
For you I wore the thorny crown,
 And yielded up my breath."

Thus he stands, with eyes uplifted,
 Pleading in low tones of love,
Proffering to us heavenly blessings,
 Titles to his home above.

Let us heed his kind entreaties;
 Let us lay our burdens down;
For Christ is waiting to receive us,
 Holding forth a starry crown.