The Messenger

I saw the Mighty on His throne,
Uplifted, awful, beautiful,
His angels round him thronging full
The temple to its topmost stone.

Above Him soared the seraphim
With pinions folded o'er the face
Because the brightness of the place
Might make immortal senses swim.

Then one invisible to me
(So dazzled was I by the flame),
Cried, "Holy, holy is his name!
His glory covers earth and sea."

Meanwhile the brazen gateways reeled
And all the temple rocked in smoke,
So mighty was the voice that spoke,
So fearful was the sight revealed.

Then said I, "Woe is me! undone!
Because I am a man unclean;
And yet my sinful eyes have seen
The Lord of hosts, the Holy One."

Thereon a seraph flew anear
And laid upon my lips a coal:
"Lo this hath purified thy soul
And made thee worthy to be here."

Then where the glory folded high
A heavenly voice responded low:
"Who is my herald? Who will go?" —
I answered: "Send me! Here am I."