I saw Thee by Ray Palmer.

“When thou wast under the fig-tree

, I saw thee.”—JOHN i. 48.

Part 1 of 2.

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.