“I saw Thee”

Ray Palmer (1808–1887)

“When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee.”—JOHN i. 48.

I SAW thee when, as twilight fell,

And evening lit her fairest star,

Thy footsteps sought yon quiet dell,

The world’s confusion left afar.

I saw thee when thou stood’st alone,

Where drooping branches thick o’erhung,

Thy still retreat to all unknown,

Hid in deep shadows darkly flung.

I saw thee when, as died each sound

Of bleating flock or woodland bird,

Kneeling, as if on holy ground,

Thy voice the listening silence heard.

I saw thy calm, uplifted eyes,

And marked the heaving of thy breast,

When rose to heaven thy heartfelt sighs

For purer life, for perfect rest.

I saw the light that o’er thy face

Stole with a soft, suffusing glow,

As if, within, celestial grace

Breathed the same bliss that angels know.

I saw—what thou didst not—above

Thy lowly head an open heaven;

And tokens of thy Father’s love

With smiles to thy rapt spirit given.

I saw thee from that sacred spot

With firm and peaceful soul depart;

I, Jesus, saw thee,—doubt it not,—

And read the secrets of thy heart!