The noon sun
I come , I come ! Just as I am , and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot , To Thee , whose blood can cleanse each spot , O Lamb of God ! I come , I come ! '' The noon sun was shining over a wet world , kindling into diamonds the crystal fringe of rain drops hanging from the green lances of willows , where a tufted red bird arched his scarlet throat in madrigal -- when four men lifted a cot , and bore it with its apparently dying burden to a spot upon which the warm light fell in a golden flood . Between the Destroying Angel and his gasping prey , stepped two , anointed with the chrism of the Priesthood of Cure ; and undismayed by the strident , sibilant , fitful breath that distorted the blue lips of the victim , they parried the sweep of the scythe of death , with the tiny , glittering steel blade surgery cunningly fashions ; and through its silver canula , tracheotomy recalled the vanishing spirit , triumphantly renewed the lease of life . At sunset on the same day , Beryl followed the warden to the door of the large hospital . `` Of all pitiful sights here , this has harrowed me the most .