THE NEW JERUSALEM. But there they live in such delight, Such pleasure and such play, That unto them a thousand years Seems but as yesterday. O my sweet home, Jerusalem! Thy vineyards, and thy orchards, So wonderfully rare, Are furnished with all kinds of fruit, Most beautifully fair. Thy gardens, and thy goodly walks, Continually are green; There grow such sweet and pleasant flowers There nard and balm abound; No tongue can tell, no heart can think, There nectar and ambrosia spring There music's ever sweet; Are trod down under feet. Quite through the streets, with pleasant sound, The flood of life doth flow; Upon the banks, on every side, The trees of life do grow.. These trees each month yield ripened fruit For evermore they spring; To thee their honors bring. There David stands, with harp in hand, A thousand times that man were blest With tunes surpassing sweet; "Te Deum" doth St. Ambrose sing, St. Austin doth the like; Old Simeon and Zacharie Have not their songs to seek. Thy joys fain would I see; Come quickly, Lord, and end my grief, O paint Thy name on my forehead, That I may dwell with Thee in bliss, Jerusalem, the happy home- O sacred city, queen, and wife O comely queen with glory clad, All fair thou art, exceeding bright- I long to see Jerusalem, The comfort of us all; For thou art fair and beautiful- No darkness dare appear- No candle needs, no moon to shine, For Christ, the King of Righteousness, A Lamb unspotted, white and pure, In midst His servants' sight; Of citizens, which hence are rid From dangers deep, do sport. 767 |