  (On Edward Calvert’s Woodcut) AND suddenly my field was Heaven: I saw a shepherd stand On the edge of my ploughed land, And every dusty furrow shone with gold. And every leaf and blade of grass Whose common loveliness I had let pass Now did unfold New beauties to my sight. God was that Shepherd garmented in light. And there was singing: In a beechen wood Three maidens stood And with their music praised God In a sweet and pleasant hymn. They danced, three maidens white and slim A measure, delicately trod. He loves no sad austerities, God is well praised by nymphs beneath the trees. My field was Heaven. An angel sped With a bright bolt, and pierced the Serpent’s head, Satan is under heel. Good beasts, enthralled, Velvet mole, and leathern wing, Worm with fiery sting, And every noisome slug that crawled Are all set free. God is not in some alien place. In my ploughed field I saw the brightness of his face. |
|
