Not in Himself the Eternal Word
Lay hid upon creation's day:
His Loveliness abroad He poured
On all the worlds; and pours for aye.
Not in Himself the Incarnate Son,
In whom Man's race is born again,
His glory hides. The victory won,
He rose to send His “Gifts on Men.”
In sacraments — His dread behests;
In Providence; in granted prayer;
Before the time He manifests
His glory, far as man may bear.
He shines not from a vault of gloom;
The horizon vast His splendour paints:
Both heaven and earth His beams illume;
His light is glorious in His saints.
He shines upon His Church — that Moon
Who, in the watches of the night,
Transmits to man the entrusted boon;
A sister orb of sacred light.
And thou, pure mirror of His grace!—
As sun reflected in a sea —
So, Mary, feeblest eyes the face
Of Him thou lovest discern in thee.