Frances Anne Kemble - A Noonday Vision lyrics

I saw one whom I love more than my life Stand on a perilous edge of slippery rock, Under her feet the waters' furious strife, And all around the thunder of their shock; She stood and smiled, while terror held my breath, Nor dared I speak, or move, or call, or cry, Lest to wild measuring of the depth beneath, From her small foothold she should turn her eye. As in the tyrannous horror of a dream, I could not look away, but stony, still, Fastened my eyes on her, while she did seem Like one that fears, but hath a steadfast will. Around her, through green boughs, the sunlight flung Its threads of glory like a golden net, And all about the rock-wall where she clung, The trembling crests of fern with stars were wet, Bright beads of crystal on a rainbow strung, Jewels of fire in drops of water set; And while I gazed, a hand stretched forth to her Beckoned her on—and holding firm and fast By this her unseen guide and monitor, Behind the rocks out of my sight she pa**ed, And then the agony of all my fears Broke forth from out my eyes in sudden tears, And I fell weeping down upon the sod; But in my soul I heard a voice that said, Be comforted—of what art thou afraid? Nor for the hand she holds be thou dismayed, The hand that holds her is the hand of God.