Classic Poem

It is therefore only on the mountains that the feet of the messenger are beautiful when he brings glad tidings near .

O N THE Way TO J ERUSALEM

O IF the splendours of the life above
This turbid life of earth might dawn on us,
With shafts of sacred light and two-edged beams
Refracted up and down from rocks and peaks
Of spiritual precipice, to rend
This temple's veil, this temple built by flesh
To flesh for the soul's bondage and dark night;
And might the soul, among the dateless hills,
Some path discern, that—follow'd till it ends—
Should lead to Zion, the eternal town,
The endless rest! Receive thine exiled son,
High city, set upon the hills; from far,
How far, across life's turbid, unanneal'd
And questing waters—from the murk and waste,
Where upas vapours breathe—we hail thee now,
Suspiring towards thee. And thy gospel bells
Proclaim new heights, where souls, redeem'd by God,
Shall gaze abroad, commanding life and time,
And calm in conscious strength the crown await.
Salem is on the mountain top because it is a spiritual city .