330 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, 
and all deeps: fire, and hail; snow, and va¬ 
pors ; stormy wind fulfilling his word; moun¬ 
tains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars : 
beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and fly¬ 
ing fowl; kings of the earth, and all people; 
princes, and all judges of the earth : both young 
men, and maidens; old men, and children: let 
them praise the name of the Lord; for his name 
alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth 
and heaven.’ Amen and Amen !” 
“ On the mountains of rapture we’ve lingered so long, 
It glows in the features and breathes in our song; 
Oh, had we the wings of a swift-flying dove, 
We w'ould hasten away to the banquet of love. 
“ Up near to its gates our bright soaring has been, 
Our souls through its portals for a moment passed in; 
There beauty celestial in full radiance shone 
O’er fields of delight and the burning white throne. 
“ Though costly the pearls in the crowns of the great, 
Far richer are those in its outermost gate; 
And gold, to the heart of the miser so sweet, 
A pavement is spread for the shining ones’ feet. 
“ How sweet through its openings to catch the soft beam 
That brings to the spirit a ray of that dream! 
That relish of sweetness, once tasted above, 
Has i-avished the soul for the mansions of love.” 
