I saw thee once and nought discern'd
For stranger to admire;
A serious aspect, but it burn'd
With no unearthly fire.
Again I saw, and I confess'd
Thy speech was rare and high;
And yet it vex'd my burden'd breast,
And scared, I knew not why.
I saw once more, and awe-struck gazed
On face, and form, and air;
God's living glory round thee blazed—
A Saint—a Saint was there!
The Transfiguration--Matins (Verse 154)
O ye who seek the Lord,
Lift up your eyes on high,
For there He doth the Sign accord
Of His bright majesty.
We see a dazzling sight
That shall outlive all time,
Older than depth or starry height,
Limitless and sublime.
'Tis He for Israel's fold
And heathen tribes decreed,
The King to Abraham pledged of old
And his unfailing seed.
Prophets foretold His birth,
And witness'd when He came,
The Father speaks to all the earth
To hear, and own His name.
To Jesus, who displays
To babes His beaming face,
Be, with the Father, endless praise,
And with the Spirit of grace. Amen.
The Transfiguration--Lauds (Verse 155)
Light of the anxious heart,
Jesus, Thou dost appear,
To bid the gloom of guilt depart,
And shed Thy sweetness here.
Joyous is he, with whom,
God's Word, Thou dost abide;
Sweet Light of our eternal home,
To fleshly sense denied.
Brightness of God above!
Unfathomable grace!
Thy Presence be a fount of love
Within Thy chosen place.
To Thee, whom children see,
The Father ever blest,
The Holy Spirit, One and Three,
Be endless praise addrest. Amen.
