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GLASTONBURY
"Gods of the burnt-out hearth, the wandered wind,
Gods of pale dawns that vanished long ago,
Gods of the barren tree, the withered leaf,
The faded flower, and the ungarnered sheaf,
Gods half-forgot in the wild ages' flow
Yours, yours am I, that all for nought have sinned."
Gods of pale dawns that vanished long ago,
Gods of the barren tree, the withered leaf,
The faded flower, and the ungarnered sheaf,
Gods half-forgot in the wild ages' flow
Yours, yours am I, that all for nought have sinned."
Spring, summer passed away, and autumn rain
Swelled the lean brooks, until the gelid year
Shot forth its icy hand, and grasped again.
Again the hanging clouds were struck and furled
By winds of winter, until skies were clear,
And there was frost o' nights, and all the world
Lay glistening to the newly risen sun.
Swelled the lean brooks, until the gelid year
Shot forth its icy hand, and grasped again.
Again the hanging clouds were struck and furled
By winds of winter, until skies were clear,
And there was frost o' nights, and all the world
Lay glistening to the newly risen sun.
Till came that season, wherein solemn days
Do celebrate the reign on earth begun
Of the most blessèd Child, whenas all ways
Were bound, and all the fields were white with snow.
Then in the chapel at high noon they three
Offered their quiet orisons and so
Came forth and looked upon the purity,
And when he saw the fields all stainless-white
Lancelot groaned in spirit, and spake: "How sore
And no wise joyous to a sinner's sight
Is this dear land, where the snow lies untrod.
Even so once before the eyes of God
My soul lay all unspotted; now no more."
Do celebrate the reign on earth begun
Of the most blessèd Child, whenas all ways
Were bound, and all the fields were white with snow.
Then in the chapel at high noon they three
Offered their quiet orisons and so
Came forth and looked upon the purity,
And when he saw the fields all stainless-white
Lancelot groaned in spirit, and spake: "How sore
And no wise joyous to a sinner's sight
Is this dear land, where the snow lies untrod.
Even so once before the eyes of God
My soul lay all unspotted; now no more."
"Courage, my son, and patience," quoth the sage;
No sin there is, that shall not lose its stain
Through the great love of God, and His dear Son,
Repent and be forgiven: know that none
Shall sue before His throne, and sue in vain,
Nor shall one name be blotted from the page
If he that bears it turn to prayer and tears."
No sin there is, that shall not lose its stain
Through the great love of God, and His dear Son,
Repent and be forgiven: know that none
Shall sue before His throne, and sue in vain,
Nor shall one name be blotted from the page
If he that bears it turn to prayer and tears."
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