Raiment of needle-work,-- that is the dress <br />For the bride of The Lord our righteousness; <br />Delicate lace on a vesture of gold, <br />Richest in pattern, and rare to behold: <br /> <br />Raiment of needle-work, tenderly wrought, <br />Such is her robe, when the bride shall be brought; <br />Such her fair veil that, flower by flower, <br />Grew o'er her loveliness hour by hour. <br /> <br />Raiment of needle-work; delicate skill <br />In twining the threads of the heart and the will; <br />Sweet tempers, kind offices, gentle wise words, <br />Daily self-sacrifice, likest her Lord's. <br /> <br />Raiment of needlework, wrought through the hands <br />Of guardian angels who do His commands, <br />And minister grace from the Bridegroom above <br />To His mystical bride in her lace-veil of love: <br /> <br />Raiment of needlework! Patience, and pray'r, <br />Charity, purity, faith, are all there, <br />Weaving by trivial touches in time <br />Her robe of the Spirit, eternal, sublime.<br /><br />Martin Farquhar Tupper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-bride-s-veil-psalm-xlv-15/
