NUNS OF THE PERPETUAL ADORATION.

New Zealand Tablet, 15 May 1919, Page 23

NUNS OF THE PERPETUAL ADORATION.

Calm, sad, secure;. behind high convent walls, . .: / These watch the sacred lainp, these watch, and pray : And it is one with them when evening falls,' * ! And one with them the cold return of day. " : ■’-/ vrUif/Ltoa . .• u ... ... J r-. s;n am These heed not time; their nights and days they make Into a long returning rosary^ "" ” % Whereon their lives ate threaded for Christ’s sake : Meekness and vigilance and chastity. /'■'7 A vowed patrol, in silent companies, Life-long they keep before the living Christ. /, .-t In that dim church, their prayers and penances Are fragrant incense to the Sacrificed : ' Outside, the world is wide and passionate; : Man’s weary laughter and his sick despair / ; Entreat at their impenetrable gate.• : ‘‘-V • They heed no voices in their dream of prayer. They saw the glory of the world displayed; : -- They saw the bitter of it, and the sweet; '-(-A They knew the roses of the world should fade, --■■■- And be trod under by the hurrying feet. ‘ ' • r ' ” # ‘ ‘ 1 'C:*-.: f Theieloie they .rather put away desire, 7 ■ And crossed their hands and came to sanctuary And veiled their heads and put on coarse attire; Because their comeliness was vanity. . A And there they rest; they have serene insight Of the illuminating dawn to be; Mary’s sweet Star dispels for them the night, The proper darkness of'humanity. Calm and secure; with faces worn and mild: ■ 1 Surely their choice of vigil is the best? ■ ' Yea! for our roses fade, the world is wild* But there, besides the altar, there, is rest. Ernest Dowson, in America.