30
THE HOUSE OF GOD.
And many a holy-day that falls beside,
Symbol of purity, of joy, of light,
Of victory and peace, white,—shining white;
And red for Whitsun-tide, the hue of flame,
Red for the saints who martyrs too became
While green, that tells of hope that cannot die,
Greets the exultant gaze through Trinity.
Once, only once, though all the changing year
(Save for some burial hour) doth black appear;
As Jesus bore our sins upon the Tree,
That Day the altar draped in woe we see.
Elsewhere two colors changing not abound
On frescoed walls and pictured saints surround,
The blue of heavenly truth, the burning red
of holy ardor,—these the Church have led
Through martyr fires and persecutions dread;
And all unclouded still the Truth doth shine,
Still glows the ardor, fed by grace divine.
Eastward the nave extending mutely saith:
Lo, there He rose triumphant over death;
The Light of light, the Sun of Righteousness,
Whom nations long in darkness hid confess.
Thence He with all His angels shall descend
In the Great Day when time itself shall end
Ever through solemn fast and gladsome feast
The Church expectant worships toward the east,
In prayers and praises mingling joy and dread
Of Him who comes to judge both quick and dead,
Who doth a place beside His Throne prepare
Symbol of purity, of joy, of light,
Of victory and peace, white,—shining white;
And red for Whitsun-tide, the hue of flame,
Red for the saints who martyrs too became
While green, that tells of hope that cannot die,
Greets the exultant gaze through Trinity.
Once, only once, though all the changing year
(Save for some burial hour) doth black appear;
As Jesus bore our sins upon the Tree,
That Day the altar draped in woe we see.
Elsewhere two colors changing not abound
On frescoed walls and pictured saints surround,
The blue of heavenly truth, the burning red
of holy ardor,—these the Church have led
Through martyr fires and persecutions dread;
And all unclouded still the Truth doth shine,
Still glows the ardor, fed by grace divine.
Eastward the nave extending mutely saith:
Lo, there He rose triumphant over death;
The Light of light, the Sun of Righteousness,
Whom nations long in darkness hid confess.
Thence He with all His angels shall descend
In the Great Day when time itself shall end
Ever through solemn fast and gladsome feast
The Church expectant worships toward the east,
In prayers and praises mingling joy and dread
Of Him who comes to judge both quick and dead,
Who doth a place beside His Throne prepare
