Chapter XVIII

As John doth write more met mine eye: Within each wall were set three gates; Twelve in succession I could spy, Portals adorned with bright gold plates; Each gate a single pearl saw I, A perfect pearl, as John relates. On each a name was written high Of Israel's sons after their dates, The oldest first, as the story states. Within those streets by night or noon, Light beams that not one hour abates; They needed neither sun nor moon.

Of sun or moon they had no need; For God Himself was their lamp light, The Lamb their lantern was indeed; From Him the city shone all bright. Through wall and dwelling my looks might speed, Such clearness could not hinder sight. Of the high throne ye might take heed, With draperies of radiant white, As John the Apostle doth endite; High God Himself did sit thereon. From the throne a river welled outright Was brighter than both sun and moon.

Sun nor moon shone never so sweet As the full flood of that bright stream; Swiftly it swept through every street, Untainted did the water gleam. Chapel nor church mine eyes did meet; Therein is no temple as I deem; The Almighty is their minster meet, The Lamb their sacrifice supreme. The gates with neither bolt nor beam, Wide open stand at night and noon; To enter there let no man dream Whom sin hath stained beneath the moon.

The moon may there win no least might, She is too spotty, grey and grim; Therein, moreover, is never night, Why should the moon fill full her rim To rival the all-glorious light That beams upon the river's brim? The planets are in poorest plight; The sun itself is far too dim. Beside the stream trees tall and trim Bear living fruits that none doth prune; Twelve times a year bends low each limb, Renewed with fruitage every moon.

Beneath the moon full well might fail The heart of mortal to endure The marvel that did mine eyes assail, Fashioned the fancy to allure. I stood as still as a startled quail, For wonder of its fair figure, I felt no rest and no travail, Ravished before such radiance pure. I say, and with conviction sure, Had the eyes of man received that boon, Though wisest clerks sought for his cure, His life were lost beneath the moon.