St. Mark's Day

Oh! who shall dare in this frail scene On holiest happiest thoughts to lean, On Friendship, Kindred, or on Love? Since not Apostles' hands can clasp Each other in so firm a grasp But they shall change and variance prove. Yet deem not, on such parting sad Shall dawn no welcome dear and glad: Divided in their earthly race, Together at the glorious goal, Each leading many a rescued soul, The faithful champions shall embrace. For e'en as those mysterious Four, Who the bright whirling wheels upbore By Chebar in the fiery blast. So, on their tasks of love and praise This saints of God their several ways Right onward speed, yet join at last. And sometimes e'en beneath the moon The Saviour gives a gracious boon, When reconciled Christians meet, And face to face, and heart to heart, High thoughts of holy love impart In silence meek, or converse sweet. Companion of the Saints! 'twas thine To taste that drop of peace divine, When the great soldier of thy Lord Called thee to take his last farewell, Teaching the Church with joy to tell The story of your love restored. O then the glory and the bliss, When all that pained or seemed amiss Shall melt with earth and sin away! When saints beneath their Saviour's eye, Filled with each other's company, Shall spend in love th' eternal day!