THE STORY OF THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF JOSEPH'S BEAUTY IN THE NIGHT-PLACE OF THE HIDDEN WORLD, AND THE BURNING OF THE MOTH OF ADAM'S HEART BY ITS FLAME.

To whom of mystery's sea the pearls to weigh is given,
Those who the pages read of the Divine Word of heaven,
The world's tale to recite when they began
'Twas thus of Adam that the story ran.
When his eye opened to behold the day,
Revealed, his progeny before him lay.
Behind there and before, the prophets' race,
Each in his order stood and fitting place:
And separate the saints in order meet,
Stood, one beside another ranged their feet.
The throng of earthly monarchs of renown,
Each ruler wearing there his glorious crown;
Whilst other mortals, rank on rank stood they,
In fitting fashion and in fair array.
When Adam tow'rd that crowd had turned his eye
And saw of each the varied company,
Joseph, that moon, then came into his sight;
No moon, a lofty sun of honour's height!
A light selected from that company,
Above the crowd a torch erected high,
The beauty of the fair before him lost,
As in the sun's ray is the starry host.
The cloak of charming to his shoulder mete,
A hundred mantle-clothed ones at his feet.
Beyond all thought was his perfection found,
The thought itself of sense beyond the bound—
God's robe of favour on his shoulder borne,
Upon his head a crown of glory worn.
The morn of blessing on his forehead lay,
Night's darkness from his face the martyr's day.
Before him and behind the prophets all,
Made pure of earthly darkness from the pall,
Free of defect all souls of purity,
To right and left their standards lifted high,
On that sun-candled altar place they raise
The sounding melody of prayer and praise.
Adam, astonished at the glorious show,
In manner of amazement whispered low:
“God, from whose rosebud did this flower spring?
“Whose is this play, the eye enlivening?
“Why on him shines this fortune's brilliant ray?
“This dignity and beauty, whence are they?”
A voice: “Of thine own eye he is the light,
“Thy heart which grief has seen that renders bright,
“Of Jacob's garden thou a plant dost see,
“From Abram's desert a gazelle is he.
“His hall of state is raised above the heaven;
“To him the throne of Egypt's land is given.
“And the great beauty that his face displays
“The envy of the fair of earth shall raise.
“She holds a mirror up before thine eyes:
“What treasure, then, thou hast give him as prize.”
He said: “Of grace, see, open is the door:
“Of beauty's six parts I have given four—
“Now of that beauty which the fair possess,
“What others have with two do Thou him bless.
“His casket* opened idols to destroy,
“For beauty's type he may all ‘Suls’* employ.”
Tow'rds his own bosom then he Joseph drew,
From loving heart inspiring virtue new.
Of his own love he made him then aware,
And as a father kissed his forehead there.
Like nightingale upon his rose for blessing prayed,
From his son's love as opening rose himself displayed.