Was this the ladder by Jacob seen,

That reached from heaven to the mattress green

On which he lay all the lonely night

Till God afforded the blessed sight,

And made him feel, tho' an exile here,

His father's God would be ever near—

The servant's cry would to heaven arise,

And blessings fall from the bending skies?

But no staircase do the angels need;

They come to earth at a greater speed,