“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!