The Clouds

I cannot look above and see Yon high-piled, pillowy mass Of evening clouds, so swimmingly In gold and purple pass, And think not, Lord, how thou wast seen On Israel’s desert way, Before them, in thy shadowy screen, Pavilioned all the day! Or, of those robes of gorgeous hue Which the Redeemer wore, When, ravished from his followers’ view, Aloft his flight he bore; When lifted, as on mighty wing, He curtained his ascent, And, wrapt in clouds, went triumphing Above the firmament. Is it a trail of that same pall Of many-colored dyes, That high above, o’ermantling all, Hangs midway down the skies,— Or borders of those sweeping folds Which shall be all unfurled About the Saviour, when he holds His judgement on the world? For in like manner as he went,— My soul, hast thou forgot?— Shall be his terrible descent, When man expecteth not! Strength, Son of man, against that hour, Be to our spirits given, When thou shalt come again with power, Upon the clouds of heaven!