''CARMELITE NUNS OF THE PERPETUAL'' ''ADORATION''
Calm, sad, secure ; behind high convent walls ;
{{gap}}These watch the sacred lamps,these watch and pray ;
And it is one with them, when evening falls ;
{{gap}}And one with them, the cold return of day.

These heed not time : their nights and days they make
{{gap}}Into a long, returning rosary ;
Whereon their lives are threaded for Christ's sake :
{{gap}}Meekness and vigilance and chastity.

A vowed patrol, in silent companies,
{{gap}}Life long they keep before the living Christ :
In the dim church, their prayers and penances,
{{gap}}Are fragrant incense to the Sacrificed.

Outside, the world is wild and passionate ;
{{gap}}Man's weary laughter and his sick despair
Entreat at their impenetrable gate :
{{gap}}They heed no voices in their dream of prayer.

They saw the glory of the world displayed,
{{gap}}They saw the bitter of it, and the sweet :
They knew the roses of the world should fade,
{{gap}}And be trod under by the hurrying feet.

Therefore they rather put away desire,
{{gap}}And crossed their hands and came to Sanctuary ;
And veiled their heads and put on coarse attire :
{{gap}}Because their comeliness was vanity.

And there they rest ; they have serene insight
{{gap}}Of the illuminating dawn to be :
Mary's sweet Star dispels for them the night,
{{gap}}The proper darkness of humanity.

Calm, sad, serene ; with faces worn and mild :
{{gap}}Surely their choice of vigil is the best ?
Yea! for our roses fade, the word is wild ;
{{gap}}But there, beside the altar, there, is rest. {{sc|{{right|Ernest Dowson.}}}}