THE NUN OF NIDAROS.
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n the convent of Drontheim,Alone in her chamberKnelt Astrid the Abbess,At midnight, adoring,Beseeching, entreatingThe Virgin and Mother. She heard in the silenceThe voice of one speaking,Without in the darkness,In gusts of the night-windNow louder, now nearer,Now lost in the distance. The voice of a strangerIt seemed as she listened,Of some one who answered,Beseeching, imploring,A cry from afar offShe could not distinguish. The voice of Saint John,The beloved disciple,Who wandered and waitedThe Master's appearance,Alone in the darkness,Unsheltered and friendless. "It is acceptedThe angry defiance,The challenge of battle!It is accepted,But not with the weaponsOf war that thou wieldest! "Cross against corslet,Love against hatred,Peace-cry for war-cry!Patience is powerful;He that o'ercomethHath power o'er the nations! "As torrents in summer,Half dried in their channels,Suddenly rise, though theSky is still cloudless,For rain has been fallingFar off at their fountains; "So hearts that are faintingGrow full to o'erflowing,And they that behold itMarvel, and know notThat God at their fountainsFar off has been raining! "Stronger than steelIs the sword of the Spirit;Swifter than arrowsThe light of the truth is,Greater than angerIs love, and subdueth! "Thou art a phantom,A shape of the sea-mist,A shape of the brumalRain, and the darknessFearful and formless;Day dawns and thou art not! "The dawn is not distant,Nor is the night starless;Love is eternal!God is still God, andHis faith shall not fail us;Christ is eternal!"
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