Nature's idolater the mount ascends
To gaze around: Jesus went up to pray;
And as he pray'd, there beam'd a tenfold day,
And brightness, that all earthly light transcends.
What company is this, that Him attends?
Celestial forms appear in pure array,
And speak of suff'rings at a future day,
His certain death, which shame and anguish blends.
But soon the light recedes; there comes a cloud,
Dark and terrific in th' apostles' eyes,
And spreads its curtains round, beneath, above;
And from that gloom a voice is heard most loud――
"This is my Son, who came from upper skies,
My Son beloved, hear ye Him and love!"