“I saw Thee”

“When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee.”—JOHN i. 48. I SAW thee when, as twilight fell,   And evening lit her fairest star, Thy footsteps sought yon quiet dell,   The world’s confusion left afar. I saw thee when thou stood’st alone,   Where drooping branches thick o’erhung, Thy still retreat to all unknown,   Hid in deep shadows darkly flung. I saw thee when, as died each sound   Of bleating flock or woodland bird, Kneeling, as if on holy ground,   Thy voice the listening silence heard. I saw thy calm, uplifted eyes,   And marked the heaving of thy breast, When rose to heaven thy heartfelt sighs   For purer life, for perfect rest. I saw the light that o’er thy face   Stole with a soft, suffusing glow, As if, within, celestial grace   Breathed the same bliss that angels know. I saw—what thou didst not—above   Thy lowly head an open heaven; And tokens of thy Father’s love   With smiles to thy rapt spirit given. I saw thee from that sacred spot   With firm and peaceful soul depart; I, Jesus, saw thee,—doubt it not,—   And read the secrets of thy heart!