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CHRIST IN BRITAIN: 11. THE BLIND NUN by THOMAS SAMUEL JONES JR.

First Line: A NUN GREEN-GIRDLED IN A FOREST TOWER
Last Line: ACROSS HER BLINDNESS SHONE THE FACE OF GOD.
Subject(s): BLINDNESS; GREAT BRITAIN - HISTORY; NUNS; VISUALLY HANDICAPPED; ENGLISH HISTORY;

A nun green-girdled in a forest tower
Gave praise that prayer had made her blind eyes new,
And to her fern-wreathed lattice swiftly drew
When thrushes called the dawn's cool silver hour;
She saw beyond pale apple-boughs in flower
A dying moon and pastures pearled with dew,
Then, where the hill-tops turned to lilac-blue,
A red sun rising, fierce with golden power.

Yet, lest the glowing world become too dear,
White Dara prayed that darkness veil her sight
And closed the casement with an ivory rod;
Like shadows faded mountain, wood, and mere,
But fairer than the sun or moon's strange light
Across her blindness shone the Face of God.



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