# CXXII: Waiting for the Morning explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The chapter depicts the souls of the departed at rest in a peaceful, Eden-like state, undisturbed by earthly grief or requests. They hear the distant river of time and are soothed by angelic hymns, awaiting the Beatific Vision.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transience and Eternity

The souls rest in a timeless Eden while the river of time flows on, illustrating the contrast between temporal change and eternal peace.

### Nature and the Divine

The Edenic landscape with its fourfold river and angelic hymns serves as a divine setting for the souls' repose.

## Character check-ins

### The Dead

The souls at rest in Eden, awaiting the Beatific Vision.

### Angels

Angelic forms posted along the garden's bounds, echoing hymns.

## Key lines

> They are at rest: We may not stir the heaven of their repose With loud-voiced grief, or passionate request, Or selfish plaint for those Who in the mountain grots of Eden lie, And hear the fourfold river, as it hurries by.

The dead are peacefully at rest; we should not disturb their heavenly peace with our loud mourning or selfish pleas, for they lie in Eden's caves and hear the rushing of the fourfold river.

_The opening lines establish the theme of the dead's undisturbed repose and the futility of earthly grief._

> They hear, and meekly muse, as fain to know How long untired, unspent, that giant stream shall flow.

They listen and wonder humbly, as if eager to learn how long the mighty river will flow without tiring or diminishing.

_The souls contemplate the endless passage of time, symbolized by the river._

> And soothing sounds Blend with the neighbouring waters as they glide; Posted along the haunted garden’s bounds Angelic forms abide, Echoing, as words of watch, o’er lawn and grove, The verses of that hymn which Seraphs chant above.

Calming sounds mix with the nearby waters as they flow; angelic beings stand along the edges of the enchanted garden, repeating the hymn that Seraphs sing in heaven as a watchful refrain over the lawns and groves.

_The scene blends natural and divine elements, with angels echoing celestial hymns in the garden._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxxii-waiting-for-the-morning
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters