After Our Likeness
Ada Cambridge
1844 to 1926
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Before me now a little picture lies—
A little of a childish face,
Childishly sweet, yet with the grace
Of thought and wisdom on her lips and eyes.
Fair, oval, broad-brow'd face—small, delicate head—
Transparent skin, with veins shining through—
All the soft outlines, beautiful and true,
Bring me the echo of the words God said.
in our image—sure 'tis that we see,
God's likeness, the fair face of a child,
By the world's and passion undefiled—
Ay, as I look, it seems plain to me.
The light wherein the little features shine,
Strange, mystic light, so undefined and faint,
So far pure for any words to paint—
'Tis a reflection the Face divine.
Some day the earthly shadows will cast
Across that sunshine—it may be to dim
Awhile visible countenance of Him;
But 'twill be there—the likeness—to last.
Some day the lucid waters, in which lie
those glorious lineaments, will be
Stirred up and troubled a stormy sea;—
But they will yet re-settle—by-and-by.
will re-settle when the soul is still'd,
Its passions, wild longings, and its pain;
The pure reflection will out again
When earth's hopes are relinquish'd, unfulfill'd.
They re-settle in those after-years
When life's hard lessons have conned and learn'd;
When this child's beauty will have return'd,
More lovely for the trouble and the tears.
will re-settle in the calm of death,
When the eyes are laid asleep, and when
The heart is hush'd. Truly God's likeness then—
The mirror clear, unsullied by breath.
Ah! while I look, and trace each tender line,
I think most of the day when I shall
The dear face in that perfect purity,
Its mortal clothed with the divine.
This self-same face, but with image bright,
Nevermore undefined, and faint, and dim;
This self-same face, yet like the face of Him,
In glory in beauty infinite.