ONCE, with a fearful, trembling hand,
I drew aside the veil, to see
The glories of the heavenly land,
The brightness of eternity.
But soon the vision overcame,
And terror seized my quaking frame.
I looked, I saw, but O ! the light,
The bliss, the splendor of the place,
The shining host, who all unite
In songs before Jehovah's face !
A sudden dimness seized my eye ;
For who could look on Deity ?
One sight I caught of heaven's high train,
One glimpse of my eternal home ;
I heard one sweet, melodious strain,
And all my powers were overcome.
I fell aghast ; my senses fled ;
Nor dared I raise again my head.
The sight, O ! ne'er shall I forget ;
The song still vibrates on my ear ;
When shall I reach that blest estate
When in yon holy throng appear ?
Haste, Jesus ! fetch my soul away,
To dwell with thee in endless day.
