When—but neighbor, this is strange!
While I question comes a change:
All that I have asked of thee
Comes for answer back to me.
Comes, against my wish and will,
Comes and sets my heart a-thrill;
Comes with terrors of the law,
Filling me with fear and awe.
Strange transition! Can it mean?—
The marvel of this shifting scene—
Yes, I read the mystery now.
Neighbor, mine own soul art thou.
Now, my soul, 'tis thine to say
How the record stands to-day
Give account of loss or gain,
Talent used or spent in vain.
All unwitting how they sped
I my listed queries read;
Raised the duty-standard high,
Challenged measurement thereby.
While I queried came a change,
Silent, solemn, passing strange;—
Neighbor glided into mist,
Soul and self were keeping tryst.
And the queries come anew:
Soul of mine, be brave and true;
Lo! our books we balance now;
I have questioned; answer thou.
[RISEN]
"He is risen; He is risen,
Here His empty tomb you see;
And He goeth as He told you
To the hills of Galilee."
Thus to loving, loyal women,
In the centuries agone,
Angel voices told the story
Of the resurrection morn.