UC-NRLF 
 
 IDYLLS 
 
 

~ 
 
POEMS AND IDYLLS. 
 
BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
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 THE LIFE AFTER DEATH, 
 
 And the Things to Come. 
 
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 some familiar cavils, and still more in its earnest and animated tone of meditation 
 on the life to come." Guardian. 
 
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 body buried, particle for particle, which is preserved and is to be raised, but only 
 what he calls the germ of that body. The argument for 'the eternal misery' 
 of the wicked is given with some power, and the authorities quoted en behalf of 
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 CONFIRMATION : 
 
 Its Nature and Obligations. 
 
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 impressively, yet affectionately, set forth. The little book will doubtless find 
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 Crown 8vo, cloth, 5.?. 
 
 POEMS AND IDYLLS. 
 
 LONDON: HATCHARDS, 187, PICCADILLY, 
 
 AND ALL BOOKSELLERS JN TOWN AND COUNTRY. 
 
 -f* 
 
POEMS AND IDYLLS. 
 
 JOHN CULLEN, 
 
 FELLOW OF THE ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 
 VICAR OF RADCLIFFE-ON-TRENT, ETC. 
 
 LONDON: 
 HATCHARDS, 187, PICCADILLY. 
 
 1882. 
 
LOAN STACK 
 
 Hazell, Watson, and Viney, Printers, London and Aylesbury. 
 
TO 
 
 MY W I F E 
 
 AND 
 
 OUR CHILDREN, 
 
 WITH 
 
 MY LOVE. 
 'FRIEDE SEI IN DIES EM HA USE: 
 
 700 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 POEMS AND IDYLLS. 
 
 THE CAPTIVITY I 
 
 Canto first : Jerusalem 3 
 
 Canto second : The Siege 10 
 
 Canto third : The Exiles 18 
 
 Canto fourth : Gentile Glory 26 
 
 Canto fifth : The Return 34 
 
 WAIT 41 
 
 SHADOWS OF THE PAST 44 
 
 GOD'S ACRE 47 
 
 THE UNKNOWN DEAD 53 
 
 THE BLESSED DEAD 55 
 
 IN MEMORIAM W. C 59 
 
 HADES 62 
 
 EVERMORE 68 
 
 PRIDE 73 
 
 THE ORPHANS 77 
 
 QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT 8l 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 THE BRIGHTEST ROSE 83 
 
 THE HARVEST BRIDE 86 
 
 TO MY WIFE, FROM ITALY 94 
 
 TO EVELYN 97 
 
 TO CECIL DONALD 99 
 
 CHRISTIAN WARFARE . IO2 
 
 PRAYER 105 
 
 HOW TO PRAY 107 
 
 TEMPORAL BLESSINGS IOS 
 
 THOUGHTS ON LIFE IO9 
 
 DUTIES LEFT UNDONE 119 
 
 DE PROFUNDIS I2 I 
 
 DOMINUS ILLUMINATIO MEA 122 
 
 LINES WRITTEN IN A BIBLE 124 
 
 GOD IN EVERYTHING 127 
 
 SORROWS COME FROM GOD 130 
 
 GOD'S ELECT !32 
 
 RUTH'S ADDRESS TO NAOMI 135 
 
 PARTED !36 
 
 LONELY WALKS 138 
 
 TO MY MOTHER ! 4I 
 
 IN THE COUNTRY .... ... 143 
 
 A SONG OF THE MOON 147 
 
 AN HOUR AGO jijj 
 
 HOR^E POETIC^E 154 
 
 FAREWELL 156 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 POEMS ON SACRED SEASONS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CHRISTMAS DAY 159 
 
 THE NEW YEAR . . 164 
 
 GOOD FRIDAY l68 
 
 EASTER DAY i;6 
 
 ASCENSION DAY 182 
 
 PENTECOST 184 
 
 TRINITY SUNDAY . 1 86 
 
 TRANSLATIONS. 
 
 PASSION HYMN 19! 
 
 ANOTHER TRANSLATION 193 
 
 LINES SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY MARY QUEEN 
 
 OF SCOTS . 195 
 
 THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD 196 
 
 THE FERRY 198 
 
 WE MEET AGAIN . . . 2OO 
 
 THE HEART 2O2 
 
 I HOLD STILL 203 
 
 CRUSADER'S HYMN OF THE TWELFTH CENTURY . . .205 
 
 LINES 207 
 
 THE NIGHT WATCHMAN'S SONG 2O8 
 
 TRUE LOVE 211 
 
 LONGING .212 
 
 THE GLOVE 214 
 
POEMS AND IDYLLS. 
 
EINLEITUNG. 
 
 Gedichte sind gemalte Fensterscheiben ! 
 
 Sieht man vom Markte in die Kirche hinein, 
 
 Da ist alles dunkel und duster, 
 
 Und so siehfs auch dcr Herr Philister ; 
 
 Der mag denn wol verdrieszlich sein 
 
 Und lebenslang verdrieszlich bleiben. 
 
 Kommt aber nur einmal herein ! 
 Begriiszt die heilige Kapelle ; 
 Da isfs auf einmal farbig kellc. 
 Geschich? und Zieralh glanzt in Schnelle, 
 Bedeutend wirkt ein edler Schein ; 
 Dies wird Euch Kindern Gottes taugen, 
 
 Erbaut Euch und ergotzt die Augeu. 
 
 GOETHE. 
 
THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 A POEM 
 
 IN FIVE CANTOS. 
 
 * ' By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, 
 Yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion." 
 
 PSALMIST. 
 
 " C'est la le mystere apres lequel soupirent toutes les ames exilees 
 qui s'affligent sur les fleuves de Babylon, en se souvenant de Sion.' 
 
 BOSSUET. 
 
THIS POEM 
 IS DEDICATED 
 
 TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL 
 
 WHO ARE SCATTERED ABROAD, 
 
 IN THE SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE 
 
 OF THEIR RESTORATION TO THEIR OWN LAND, 
 
 "WHEN THE TIMES OF REFRESHING SHALL COME 
 
 FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD, 
 
 AND HE SHALL SEND 
 
 JESUS CHRIST, 
 
 WHOM THE HEAVEN MUST RECEIVE 
 UNTIL THE TIMES OF THE RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS 
 
 WHICH GOD HATH SPOKEN 
 
 BY THE MOUTH OF ALL HIS HOLY PROPHETS 
 
 SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN." 
 
THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 CANTO FIRST. 
 
 JERUSALEM. 
 
 BLUE Evening sleeps on Zion's hill, 
 And mild is the holy, fragrant air, 
 Hushed is the sacred choir, and still : 
 Heart voices only breathe the prayer. 
 All toil has ceased ; awhile is bowed 
 In silent prayer the awestruck crowd. 
 
 The trumpet's sound the air has riven, 
 In silver notes it swells along, 
 And echoes thro' the bright blue heaven, 
 Clear as the Nightingale's sweet song ; 
 And see ! the clouds of incense rise 
 From many a holy sacrifice ; 
 On every house-top knees are bent 
 In humble prayer and penitent. 
 
THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 II. 
 
 Oh ! who has knelt in holy prayer 
 On Zion's mount, and would not there, 
 From dawn of morn till starry even, 
 Still supplicate the throne of Heaven ? 
 
 Moriah's hill ! where Abraham's faith, 
 When sorely tried, and found sincere, 
 Received his son as if from death, 
 All men with sacred love revere. 
 There Zion's temple stands, the pride 
 Of Jewry and the world beside, 
 Round which the dust of sages sleeps, 
 And God's own eye its vigils keeps. 
 There, angels from His shining throne 
 In messages of love and grace 
 Proclaimed His will in ages gone 
 To Abraham's beloved race. 
 
 in. 
 
 All hail ! thou holy mountain, where 
 Is ever heard the voice of prayer : 
 Ezekiel's feet thy turf once trod, 
 And, in a vision, edified, 
 He saw that glorious house of God 
 Which as thy crown shall yet abide. 
 
JERUSALEM. 
 
 Isaiah heard the heavenly choir 
 Sing, " Holy, holy, holy, Lord," 
 And here his lips were cleansed by fire, 
 Ere he the sacred Name adored. 
 From hence he hurled his Burdens forth 
 Against the nations of the earth. 
 And here the Royal Minstrel poured 
 His golden numbers to the Lord. 
 No other spot on earth has known 
 Such glories ! they are thine alone. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The wind is hushed, the night is still, 
 The Paschal moon o'er Zion's hill 
 Rains down her beams of holy light 
 Upon the sacred air of Night ; 
 And sweetly sounds lone Kedron's stream, 
 As music in a fairy dream. 
 Slowly the silent hours are told, 
 Till Morning from his locks of gold 
 Shakes sparkling dews in pearls away, 
 And opens wide the gates of Day ! 
 From every country, every clime, 
 Come proselytes at Paschal-time, 
 To pay their homage to the King 
 Of Heaven, and their offerings bring. 
 The Indian prince in shining gold, 
 And Afric's hunter stern and bold ; 
 
THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 The patriarchal Arab sheik, 
 With hoary locks and swarthy cheek, 
 Whose lofty brow and piercing eye 
 Both tell of noble lineage high. 
 Assyria sends her warlike son, 
 And Grecia many a noble one. 
 And men unknown, from farthest East, 
 Come now to keep the Paschal feast. 
 The trumpet's signal sound is given ; 
 The smoke ascending up to heaven 
 From morning sacrifice, with prayer, 
 Moves slowly through the hallowed air. 
 
 v. 
 
 And now the Temple's holy ground 
 The thronging multitudes surround, 
 The golden gates ; the bright abode 
 Where dwell the holy priests of God ; 
 And central Temple's turrets rise, 
 Like fingers pointing to the skies. 
 A thousand Levites serving, wait 
 On priests in holy worship bowed, 
 Four thousand more attend the gate 
 There to admit the silent crowd, 
 Four thousand singers raise on high 
 God's holy praise in minstrelsy ; 
 Between each pause of prayer, they sing 
 The Psalms of Israel's Warrior King. 
 
JERUSALEM. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Musica ! daughter of the skies ! 
 
 How oft, when godless passions rise, 
 
 Hast thou a holy calmness shed 
 
 O'er aching heart or burning head ! 
 
 Thy voice has made the wildest fears 
 
 To melt away in painless tears. 
 
 But oh ! how sweet when sacred song 
 
 Echoed through holy aisles along 
 
 Of Zion's fane in chant and psalm, 
 
 In Morning's hush, or Evening's calm ; 
 
 And bore like incense to the skies 
 
 The thankful heart's best sacrifice ! 
 
 Such moments are a foretaste given 
 
 While yet on earth of joys of heaven. 
 
 Happy the soul so pure and calm 
 
 Who joins in such sweet chant and psalm, 
 
 Which, soaring dovelike to the skies, 
 
 Upbears the heart in ecstacies. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Amid the songs of praises there, 
 Which rise to God at morn and even, 
 Is heard the voice of Adah's prayer ; 
 As she assails the ear of Heaven, 
 Hers are the sweetest notes that rise 
 In love and rapture to the skies I 
 
THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 And hers the holiest prayers that tell 
 
 To God the hopes she loves so well. 
 
 Her spirit loved the courts of God, 
 
 Where, with her brother she abode, 
 
 He the High Priest of Aaron's line, 
 
 And she his sister, half divine ! 
 
 Now while she touched her harp's bright strings, 
 
 When prayer and sacrifice were o'er, 
 
 A holy psalm with joy she sings, 
 
 Which angels up to heaven bore. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Praise God, ye nations ! praise His Name 
 With cheerful songs for mercies given. 
 His goodness lasts in love the same 
 Praise ye, O praise the King of Heaven. 
 
 IX. 
 
 To Him your portals open wide, 
 Admit Him and His shining train : 
 On earth vouchsafes He to abide 
 With joy His heralds entertain. 
 
 x. 
 
 Messiah's day the Lord declares : 
 Rejoice, ye people ! sing glad songs ; 
 Your joy the outcast heathen shares, 
 Messiah's Name to all belongs. 
 
JERUSALEM. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Hosannas to His Name be sung, 
 And Alleluias to Him given, 
 By every tribe and every tongue 
 Of men on earth and saints in heaven. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Messiah ! take Thy rightful throne, 
 Great David's kingly sceptre bear, 
 To Thee, and unto Thee alone 
 We look for help ; O hear our prayer ! 
 
CANTO SECOND. 
 
 THE SIEGE. 
 
 THE gentle wish, the holy prayer 
 
 To heaven ascend find entrance there 
 
 Before the throne of God. 
 But deeds of sin and wrath and wrong, 
 Tho' suffered patiently and long, 
 Will God's dire vengeance sore prolong 
 
 Whene'er He lifts His rod. 
 False Judah's sin, from age to age, 
 Despite the warning of the Sage, 
 
 Or holy Priest or Seer, 
 Had grown beyond all bounds so great, 
 In murderous discord, strife, and hate, 
 That Judges, sitting at the gate, 
 For love of gold, adulterate 
 
 God's truth, erewhile so dear. 
 With idols foul God's holy place 
 Abounded ; and such foul disgrace 
 Marked the degraded populace 
 
 In every deed and word, 
 
THE SIEGE. 
 
 That few revere Jehovah's shrine, 
 Few to His holy laws incline, 
 Few battle for the Lord. 
 
 ii. 
 
 To vilest gods of wood and stone 
 Beneath the groves, on mountains lone 
 
 Their evil rites were held. 
 And there, most shameful to behold, 
 With deeds too sinful to be told, 
 They worshipped, like their sires of old, 
 
 Who 'gainst the Lord rebelled, 
 Moloch, besmeared with blood and tears, 
 Foul god, who children's voices hears, 
 Tho' drowned by drumming noise. 
 Chemosh, the god of wanton rites, 
 Their worship foul, alas ! invites, 
 And sinful zeal employs. 
 To Baalim and Ashtaroth 
 They plight their wicked maudlin troth, 
 
 Yea, all the horrid crew 
 Which men devise to please their lust 
 On which to fix a baffled trust, 
 Like building piled on yielding dust, 
 
 With God, the Rock, in view. 
 
THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 III. 
 
 Vengeance for sin, tho' long delayed, 
 
 Will surely come at last ; 
 Then idle words in anguish prayed 
 
 Are borne upon the blast, 
 And never reach Jehovah's ear, 
 
 Or ne'er are heard on high ; 
 And Mercy, mocked for many a year, 
 
 Brings only Justice nigh. 
 God's curse came down upon the land 
 
 In vengeance sore and dread ; 
 Jehovah lifted high His hand 
 
 To strike the rebels dead, 
 Who long had mocked at Mercy's smile, 
 
 And scouted Pity's tear ; 
 Who worshipped idols base and vile, 
 
 Who no reproof would hear 
 From Prophets, sent by God most high, 
 Who waits to hear the suppliant's cry, 
 Who bringeth His salvation nigh 
 
 To all who will repent. 
 Alas ! the sin-beclouded mind 
 Is to all truth and warning blind, 
 
 And to all evil lent. 
 
 The Prophet asks : " Why will ye die ? " 
 The people still believe a lie. 
 
THE SIEGE. 13 
 
 IV. 
 
 Assyria comes with all her host, 
 
 And hems the city in ; 
 Judah proclaims her idle boast 
 In Egypt ; who when wanted most 
 Hath disappeared, like fabled ghost, 
 
 And left her in her sin. 
 God's prophet now, the people doom 
 To plunge into a living tomb, 
 
 A dungeon foul and dread. 
 And there, alas ! for many a day, 
 In darkness, filth, and miry clay, 
 The holy Seer neglected lay 
 
 Forsaken as one dead. 
 But war was at the gate without, 
 The Gentile legions' lusty shout 
 
 Was heard both far and near, 
 And Famine, with her wolfish eye, 
 Saw men in trembling groups go by, 
 And heard the hungry mothers' cry, 
 
 Whom their own children fear. 
 
 v. 
 
 ^he heathen gathered far and near 
 
 Around the city wall ; 
 Now shine the glittering sword and spear 
 
14 THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 And bow and shield in pomp appear. 
 
 Now many to the watchman call : 
 " Say, watchman from yon turret high, 
 Is any succour drawing nigh 
 To save the city ere we die ? " 
 The watchman strains his eager sight 
 
 And holds his beating heart. 
 But ah ! for many a day and night 
 Nought could he see from his lone height, 
 
 No hope of help impart. 
 At last a muffled noise he hears, 
 A dancing gleam of steel appears ! 
 Alas ! it is the foemen's spears ; 
 
 They come to storm the wall. 
 Shout ! watchman ! sound the loud alarm ; 
 Ye men of Judah ! rise and arm ; 
 Save, save from this impending harm ; 
 
 Your foe with might appal. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Whose life is pure, his hand is strong ; 
 But whoso deals in guilt and wrong 
 
 Is cowardly and weak ; 
 And whoso for the Lord would fight, 
 Or e'er do battle for the right, 
 And conquer all in heavenly might, 
 
 Must holy be and meek. 
 
THE SIEGE. 15 
 
 Whoso relies on God most High, 
 And hears in peace the battle-cry, 
 And calmly goes to fight or die, 
 
 God's power .alone doth seek. 
 Now Judah's arm is weak indeed ; 
 Each heart is stricken like the reed 
 
 When broken by the blast. 
 Their gods, in whom they put their trust, 
 Are trampled in the mire and dust, 
 And God the True, the Good, the Just, 
 
 Some call upon at last. 
 
 VII. 
 
 But ah ! too late when Mercy's hour 
 Is past : when judgments, boding, lour, 
 The sword of Justice doth devour 
 
 Those who have sinned so long. 
 Now shrieks of women fill the air, 
 And men, in gloomy, dark despair, 
 Nor fight nor offer up a prayer, 
 
 But all together throng. 
 The foe comes on, and now the wall 
 
 Is stormed ; and one by one 
 The outposts yield, till gained are all 
 
 The fortress now is gone ! 
 The heathen each with other vied 
 
 To spoil, destroy, and slay ; 
 
16 THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 Like hungry wolves, unsatisfied, 
 They tear and rend their prey. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The cry of anguish and the prayer 
 Which some raise high, in wild despair, 
 
 Are answered by a yell. 
 They come in desperate force along, 
 Led by Sharezer, bold and strong, 
 That motley, fierce, and warlike throng, 
 
 . Like angry fiends from hell. 
 As mounts a fire in fury dread, 
 When nought resists it overhead, 
 They come, with brands all fiery red, 
 
 Across the battered wall. 
 And there those countless myriads fight 
 The famished people till the night, 
 And slaughter all in ruthless might, 
 
 Nor hear they Pity's call. 
 And now a fiercer, deadlier foe 
 Despoils the city ; high and low 
 The fire, in flames of angry glow, 
 
 Spreads wide afar and near; 
 And gentle women bruised and gashed, 
 With brains of their own children splashed, 
 Whom foemen 'gainst the stones had dashed, 
 
 Stood by in hopeless fear. 
 
THE SIEGE. 17 
 
 IX. 
 
 And Judah's king is captive led 
 Amid the dying and the dead, 
 
 A heathen monarch's prize. 
 The dreaded king, he, trembling, sees, 
 Who in fell anger stern, decrees : 
 
 That he must lose his eyes 
 And then be led to Babylon 
 
 To suffer there for evil done 
 Against the monarch's name. 
 The temple court in ashes lies ; 
 To God a chosen remnant cries, 
 
 Tho' conquered and in shame. 
 And God, who will no sinner clear, 
 While e'er he lives in sin, will hear 
 The cry of those, who, trembling, fear 
 
 His holy, righteous Name. 
 And while stern Justice wields the sword 
 Of vengeance for her outraged Lord, 
 Kind Mercy hears the faintest word 
 
 That Penitence doth breathe, 
 And opens wide the gates of Love 
 For all who by repentance prove 
 Sincere in thought and deed. 
 
CANTO THIRD. 
 
 THE EXILES. 
 
 OH ! who has seen the light of even 
 Gild earthly things with hues of heaven,- 
 Has seen the glorious orb of day 
 Shed on the earth his parting ray, 
 As he o'er lake, and lawn, and rose, 
 A thousand beauties freely throws, 
 And each, as it sped quickly past, 
 Seemed brighter, lovelier than the last, 
 And would not gladly soar away, 
 With him, to realms of cloudless day, 
 And live where suns might ever shed 
 Their dazzling glory round his head ? 
 
 n. 
 
 In this sweet hour, with beauties rife, 
 Of golden heaven and sunlit sea, 
 When man forgets the cares of life, 
 And 'tis a pleasure but to be ! 
 
THE EXILES. 19 
 
 When sorrows in the hush of even 
 Are borne with calm and holy peace, 
 Or lose themselves 'mid joys of heaven, 
 And for a time their conflicts cease ; 
 A Jewish maid, by Babel's towers, 
 Sat down to think of happier hours, 
 Tho' captive on a foreign strand, 
 An outcast in the Gentiles' land, 
 Where Israel's God was never known, 
 And men bowed down to gods of stone. 
 
 in. 
 
 Alas ! the sin of Jewry now 
 
 Has laid her pride and glory low, 
 
 And for her people's punishment, 
 
 God used as His dread instrument 
 
 The heathen, on destruction bent, 
 
 To lead His Israel far away, 
 
 And leave their homes to slow decay. 
 
 And here, alas ! doth Adah mourn 
 
 For her dear land distressed, forlorn. 
 
 Not Belus 1 temple, nor the halls 
 
 Of palaces, with gilded walls ; 
 
 Nor towers kissed by floating clouds, 
 
 Like giants wrapped in flaming shrouds, 
 
 Could make her sad thoughts rest on them- 
 
 Her heart was in Jerusalem. 
 
THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Jerusalem ! more welcome far 
 To Jewish eyes, than polar star 
 To mariner on dusky sea, 
 When billows toss tempestuously. 
 And dearer, too, than desert springs, 
 Which cheer the pilgrim's wanderings. 
 While there the holy temple stands, 
 The wonder of the heathen lands, 
 Where dwelt the awful King of kings, 
 In glory 'twixt cherubic wings, 
 Where music swelled at morn and even, 
 In concert with the choirs of heaven. 
 
 v. 
 
 Judaea's hills ! where prophets saw 
 
 Before their eyes bright glories spread, 
 
 In trembling, and with solemn awe, 
 
 And they became like beings dead, 
 
 The future's undiscovered womb 
 
 The vision bright of things to come ! 
 
 Compared with their pure, heaven-taught ligfit, 
 
 The Gentile's knowledge was but night. 
 
 And Jericho's sweet groves of palm, 
 
 Of rose, and orange ; and the balm 
 
 Of Gilead, given in tenderness 
 
 By God, His suffering ones to bless, 
 
THE EXILES. 
 
 Yea, every scene and lovely spot, 
 From cloud-capt hill to lowly grot 
 The Jew loves all and every part. 
 Where'er his lot on earth is cast 
 There would he come, like stricken hart, 
 To rest in death's calm sleep at last 
 
 VI. 
 
 Now Adah mourns her country's fall, 
 
 And to her God in prayer doth call 
 
 Ah ! shall, she thought, the good, the brave, 
 
 Inherit but a captive's grave ? 
 
 Shall Zion's harps no more be strung ? 
 
 Shall all her songs be hushed in death ? 
 
 Shall we no more with voice and tongue 
 
 Bless Him who gave us life and breath ? 
 
 Shall only prayerful sighs be given 
 
 As offerings to the throne of heaven ? 
 
 Shall naught possess our souls but fears, 
 
 And waiting eyes be dimmed with tears ? 
 
 Shall Israel's glory fade away, 
 
 Her Temple in the dust decay ? 
 
 VII. 
 
 Foul war ! not only those who come 
 To an untimely gory tomb 
 Are victims to thy treacherous blade, 
 But many thus are victims made 
 
22 THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 By suffering, and bereavement prest, 
 
 When thou dost rear thy crimson crest. 
 
 Oh ! may thy devastating blast 
 
 Be blown against thyself at last, 
 
 And may thy fiercest, loudest call 
 
 Be, when thy dogs * thy bloodhounds all 
 
 Beneath their own destruction fall ! 
 
 Haste, holy day ! when sin shall cease, 
 
 And nations shall remain in peace, 
 
 When round God's altar endless praise 
 
 Shall man to Great Jehovah raise, 
 
 And all be joy, and nevermore 
 
 Shall nations learn the art of war. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 A harp of Judah, once so dear, 
 Hung on a drooping willow nigh. 
 Her eyes fell on it, while a tear 
 Stole down her pale cheek silently. 
 ^Eolian strains came from its chords, 
 Which spake to her far more than words. 
 Her sad eye beamed, like yon bright star, 
 Whose glory reached her from afar ; 
 She took the harp her fingers swept 
 Its chords but ere she sang she wept, 
 And then in measured cadence low 
 To listening Heaven she told her woe. 
 
 " Cry ; Havock,' and let slip the dogs of war." Shakespeare. 
 
THE EXILES. 23 
 
 IX. 
 
 Where now may Israel find a home ? 
 
 Who shall the captive save ? 
 Is no deliverer to come 
 
 No comfort but the grave ? 
 O great Messiah ! Prince of peace, 
 Come Thou, and bid our wanderings cease. 
 
 x. 
 
 Here by Euphrates' stream we sit, 
 
 In lone captivity. 
 We to Thy will, O God, submit, 
 
 And look for help to Thee. 
 Make bare Thine arm, Almighty Lord, 
 Thy timely aid to us afford. 
 
 XI. 
 
 " Come sing us one of Zion's songs/' 
 
 Our foes in scorn demand. 
 Oh ! never by unwilling tongues 
 
 In this the Gentiles' land. 
 Our songs we must reserve for God, 
 Tho ; bowed beneath His chastening rod. 
 
 xn. 
 
 Oh ! never, never shall we sing 
 The song of happier time, 
 
24 THE. CAPTIVITY. 
 
 Or tune our harp's sweet sounding string 
 
 'Neath sun of foreign clime. 
 But when our God deliverance brings, 
 Then shall we praise the King of kings. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Jerusalem ! we hope to see 
 
 Thy God-lit glory yet ; 
 In foreign lands to think of thee, 
 
 The Jew shall ne'er forget ; 
 To see thy joy, tho' desolate, 
 We pray in hope, and watch and wait. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Lord ! bring Thy children home again, 
 
 The covenant land to see, 
 Moriah's mount shall echo then 
 
 With joyful praise to Thee ! 
 Both day and night unceasing song 
 To Thy great Name shall we prolong ! 
 
 xv. 
 
 Her white hands touched the warbling strings, 
 
 As moonbeams touch the mountain springs ; 
 
 She ceased ; the music died away, 
 
 As forest notes on summer day, 
 
 When Evening's zephyrs whisper peace, 
 
 When hushed is every sound of earth, 
 
THE EXILES. 25 
 
 And when the birds their woodnotes cease, 
 And thoughts awake of heavenly birth. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Her hands shall wake those strings no more, 
 
 For she is cold and dead, 
 And to a brighter, happier, shore 
 
 Her spirit fair, has fled. 
 There, in sweet songs, for aye to tell 
 Her God of all she loved so well, 
 And there to see in vision clear 
 The mystery, wrapped in darkness here ! 
 
CANTO FOURTH. 
 
 GENTILE GLORY. 
 
 FROM Judah's land the power is riven, 
 Which God of old to her had given, 
 And Gentiles must, from age to age, 
 By head of gold, and silver breast, 
 And thighs of brass, and iron feet, 
 Revealed to Judah's holy sage, 
 
 In that great power seek rest, 
 Until the ages are complete, 
 When from the mountain, without hand 
 The stone is cut that smites them all 
 And from Judaea's holy land 
 Messiah to His people call. 
 Then shall they gather round His throne, 
 And Him, whom they had pierced, shall own. 
 Then shall they worship and adore, 
 And serve with zeal unknown before, 
 Him they had crucified of yore. 
 
 
GENTILE GLORY. 27 
 
 II. 
 
 Hark while yon herald cries with might- 
 " It is the King's august command 
 To you, O nations, at the sight 
 Of my great image which doth stand 
 In Babylon's triumphant land ; 
 Whene'er you hear the sound of harp, 
 Of cornet, flute, and sackbut clear, 
 And psaltery and dulcimer, 
 That all in reverence draw near 
 And worship this the symbol great 
 Of my dominion, or the sharp 
 And furious flames beside yon gate 
 Shall soon devour your hissing flesh 
 Like fuel from the woods afresh,' 7 
 
 in. 
 
 Prostrate the servile people fall 
 To worship there a god of gold : 
 The mean and noble, young and old, 
 On that dumb idol suppliant call. 
 Symbol of earthly might and power, 
 To which mankind in every age, 
 The young and old, the fool and sage, 
 In courtly hall and hermitage, 
 Bow down and worship every hour, 
 While intellect and fame and birth, 
 
28 THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 And God and heaven, and heavenly power, 
 Are bartered for the toys of earth. 
 
 IV. 
 
 But some, of truer faith and trust 
 In God, and all things pure and high, 
 Would e'en, while trusting, rather die 
 Than godlike reason to belie 
 With such foul basenes-s to comply, 
 And worship earthly power and lus-t. 
 Both now, as then, they stand aloof 
 And will not reason's truth betray ; 
 They trust in God, tho' far away, 
 And own His right alone to sway 
 The rod of empire arid of might* 
 His power alone, and His the right 
 To raise the fallen, or to smite. 
 To threat and menace, scorn and slight, 
 They, in strong faith, alike are proof. 
 
 v. 
 
 An accusation foul is made 
 
 Against three servants of the Lord 
 
 Who disregard the monarch's word 
 
 To bow the knee when serenade 
 
 Is made to his great god of gold ! 
 
 And these three youths so true and bold 
 
GENTILE GLORY. 29 
 
 Are cast into the lake of fire ! 
 Ah ! many a time ere then, I ween, 
 And often since, may that be seen, 
 When wicked men with vain desire 
 Against God's servants 7 peace conspire, 
 And trail their names in filth and mire, 
 And strive by falsehood fell and dire, 
 And cruel rage and fiendish ire, 
 
 To damn them and demean. 
 But all in vain, for God shall wake 
 In their behalf, and vengeance take 
 Upon the rebels, scattering wide 
 Their foes and His ; and like the tide 
 That dashes 'gainst the rock in rage, 
 
 And spends itself in spray, 
 He shall their devilish wrath assuage, 
 
 And cast their bonds away. 
 
 VI. 
 
 And now another plot is laid 
 Against the man whom God doth love, 
 But yet his prayer is duly made 
 To Him who hears in heaven above. 
 The counsel of these wicked men 
 Prevails awhile, and he is cast 
 Into the savage lions' den. 
 Does evil triumph now at last ? 
 
30 THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 Ah no ! tho' Virtue feeble seem, 
 And for a time be trampled down, 
 Hope sees afar deliverance gleam ; 
 And tho' the wicked may blaspheme, 
 She knows Jehovah will redeem 
 His people at the last extreme, 
 
 And with His glory crown. 
 The lions' mouths are stopped for him. 
 
 Safe comes he home again, 
 But they whose cup is to the brim 
 Filled up with wrath, with hopes grown 
 
 dim, 
 
 Are cast unto the lions grim, 
 And they are torn limb from limb, 
 
 These evil and profane. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Belshazzar's feast is long and loud, 
 Without a shade of gloom, 
 
 But see ! before the awestruck crowd, 
 
 A hand, as from a glory-cloud, 
 
 Or from a long forgotten shroud, 
 Appears and writes his doom ! 
 
 His boasted valour all is fled, 
 
 Awake his guilty fears. * 
 
 His face, erewhile besotted, red, 
 
 Is pale as one already dead, 
 
GENTILE GLORY. 31 
 
 And bowed is that proud crowned head, 
 That heart is filled with gloomy dread, 
 
 Those eyes can weep no tears. 
 God's servant comes, and tells him all 
 
 When wise Chaldeans failed 
 The secret writing on the wall, 
 Which king and courtiers appal, 
 
 Before which all had quailed, 
 Is God's decree against his sin : 
 "Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." 
 
 Each, loud his lot bewailed ! 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Thus every power on earth shall fail, 
 
 And crumble in the dust ; 
 Tho' rebels 'gainst Jehovah rail, 
 And suffering millions hourly wail, 
 And force and wrong at times prevail, 
 
 Yet fall they shall, and must. 
 When Christ shall take His power and reign 
 
 O'er all in love and peace, 
 Then slaves shall once be men again, 
 And warfare dread, and woe, and pain, 
 Man's home shall then no longer stain 
 Nor wickedness his powers constrain, 
 Nor godless lust his will enchain, 
 Nor sin be evermore his bane. 
 
 Come, Lord ! and man release ! 
 
32 THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 IX. 
 
 As to the Jews in Babylon 
 
 Deliverance was sent, 
 When Persia led her armies on, 
 And every hope on earth seemed gone, 
 With foes within, and foes anon, 
 
 Who seemed on murder bent ! 
 So differing forces shall combine 
 
 Against the Church of God, 
 And seek her faith to undermine 
 By awful punishment condign, 
 And strive by every power and sign 
 To desecrate each holy shrine, 
 Then Jesus, in His power divine, 
 
 Shall with His iron rod 
 Scatter in foul and fell disgrace 
 Her foes and His before His face. 
 
 x. 
 
 Before another Prophet's eye, 
 
 By Chebar's lonely stream 
 Are spread bright visions from on high, 
 Of what is distant far, and nigh. 
 A valley of dead bones and dry, 
 A river rolling grandly by, 
 To people and to fructify 
 
 The future church, I deem. 
 
GENTILE GLORY. 33 
 
 But ere those bones shall live again, 
 Or ere that stream on earth we see, 
 God's Church, thro' anguish, toil, and pain, 
 Must travail in captivity. 
 Her harp is on the willows hung, 
 
 And she awaits her King. 
 But soon that harp shall be restrung, 
 And then with rapturous voice and tongue, 
 Sweet music, the bright chords among, 
 
 Shall sound again and ring ! 
 
CANTO FIFTH. 
 
 THE RETURN. 
 
 JUDJEA'S captive sons, rejoice ! 
 
 Your mourning now may cease at last ; 
 
 The Lord sends forth His glorious voice 
 
 Like music on the rolling blast, 
 
 To call His people from afar, 
 
 And end the bitter strife and war. 
 
 Let joyful songs of praise arise, 
 
 And bring the wonted sacrifice 
 
 To smoke upon His altar, where 
 
 He loves to hear the voice of prayer. 
 
 Once more into His temple bring, 
 
 With joy, the free-will offering. 
 
 Your land He comes again to bless-, 
 
 And crown your fields with fruitfulness. 
 
 ii. 
 
 Rejoice, Judaea ! God shall come 
 To reign once more in every home ; 
 
7 HE RETURN. 35 
 
 Sweet Peace shall brood upon thy mountains, 
 And Life shall flow from out thy fountains ; 
 Fair Truth from earth shall then be given, 
 And Righteousness look down from heaven.* 
 Rejoice, O widowed queen, rejoice ! 
 And shout for joy ! for thou art free ; 
 Hear once again thy children's voice 
 In sounds of praise and melody. 
 Salathiel's son the hosts leads on 
 In holy joy from Babylon. 
 
 in. 
 
 Oh ! who can tell the joys that shed, 
 In holy gladness, heavenly peace, 
 Their light upon a captive's head, 
 When from his chains he finds release, 
 And to his weary soul is given 
 A foretaste of the joys of heaven ? 
 
 No spot so bright as childhood's home 
 Could he behold, when forced to roam 
 From his dear native land away, 
 And leave that home to slow decay. 
 Now he again, with tearful eyes, 
 Sees Zion's hill before him rise, 
 And prostrate on the turf he lies. 
 His mind looks onward through all time, 
 
 * See Ps. Ixxii. 3 ; Zech. xiii. I ; and Ps. Ixxxv. II. 
 
36 THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 His soul is filled with joy unpriced, 
 
 As he beholds from every clime 
 
 The nations come to worship Christ. 
 
 And fair before him visions rise 
 
 Of scenes when, wedded to the skies, 
 
 Zion shall rule, and nevermore 
 
 In her be heard the clang of war : 
 
 When to Messiah shall be given 
 
 The homage, both of earth and heaven ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 On God the thankful people call, 
 And praise Him for His mercies great ; 
 They raise the altar, build the wall, 
 Restore the breach, set up the gate ; 
 At eventide they kneel and pray, 
 And grateful anthems crown the day. 
 The Priests each day with joy prolong 
 The prayer and chant and sacred song, 
 To music echoing to the skies,* 
 God's holy temple's turrets rise ! 
 At Morn and Eve the voice of prayer 
 Floats upward thro the hallowed air ; 
 From east and west the people come, 
 To dwell in Salem 's happy home. 
 
 * See Ezra iii. 10, n. 
 
7 HE RETURN. 37 
 
 V. 
 
 Freedom ! to Virtue, sister fair, 
 With brow serene and queenly air 
 Wert thou, amid the holy train, 
 Sent down from heaven on earth to reign, 
 When Eden bright was man's abode 
 When converse high, he held with God. 
 Beneath thy sceptre's peaceful sway 
 The captive's galling chains give way. 
 Wisdom and Love surround thy throne j 
 Religion's claims are thine alone. 
 Come thou to reign on Zion's hill 
 And all her hopes of joy fulfil. 
 O lovely Salem ! bright abode 
 Of priest and prophet : Rest of God," 
 Thy living page shall rule the world 
 When error from her throne is hurled ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 Like ministering angels' wings outspread 
 Around the fane of Judah's God, 
 Immortal hopes surround thy head, 
 O Zion, bowed beneath the rod 
 Of Him who loves thee, and will save 
 Thy fame and glory from the grave. 
 
 * Cf. Ps. cxxxii. 14. 
 
38 THE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 To thee shall empire vast be given, 
 
 When Christ, thy King, comes down from heaven. 
 
 Rejoice, O Salem ! wars shall cease 
 
 Throughout the world, in that bright day 
 
 When thy Messiah reigns in peace, 
 
 When all shall own His righteous sway. 
 
 His empire wide as earth shall be, 
 
 From clime to clime, from sea to sea ; 
 
 And with Him shall come down from heaven 
 
 The saints for whom His life was given. 
 
 'The lamb and lion, side by side, 
 
 Shall rest in peace ; deceit and pride 
 
 Shall flee to their unblest abode 
 
 Of darkness, from the face of God. 
 
 From cot and palace then shall rise 
 
 The loving heart's best sacrifice, 
 
 In praise and prayer to peaceful skies. 
 
 VII. 
 
 When Christ comes down from heaven above, 
 To reign o'er all as Prince of peace, 
 When dawns on earth that day of love, 
 Peace like a river shall increase ; 
 Men shall unite to work all good, 
 And universal brotherhood 
 Shall be the bond to make them one, 
 And link them to Messiah's throne. 
 
THE RETURN. 39 
 
 Then shall the promised Branch arise 
 
 In beauty bright and fair, 
 And with its glory fill the skies 
 
 And earth and sea and air ! 
 The stone, cut from the mountain forth, 
 
 Shall smite earth's kingdoms down, 
 And fill the east, west, south, and north, 
 
 And earth with glory crown ! 
 The wilderness shall bloom ; and Spring 
 
 Shall all the year on earth remain ; 
 The desert shall rejoice and sing, 
 
 Nor age nor childhood suffer pain. 
 Jesus shall reign o'er all the world, 
 
 In sweet constraining love ; 
 Sin from its throne shall then be hurled ; 
 
 Peace, like a brooding dove, 
 Shall rest in every heart and home, 
 
 For men shall dwell in peace ; 
 From paths of peace no man shall roam, 
 
 And war and strife shall cease ! 
 The world shall then unite to sing 
 The praises of our heavenly King. 
 From Andes 1 mount, and Labrador ; 
 From where Niagara's thunders roar ; 
 From Egypt and from Gush, shall come 
 The worshippers ; from erring Rome, 
 From Britain's Isle, and every shore, 
 To Zion shall the people pour. 
 
40 7HE CAPTIVITY. 
 
 From whence, like circles widening round 
 On ocean's face, the healing sound 
 Of Jesu's Name shall blessings shed 
 On every land ; on every head ! 
 
WAIT. 
 
 MORTAL, when thou hearest 
 
 Sweet sounds of mirth, 
 Ah then art thou nearest 
 
 To sorrows of earth. 
 Take timely this warning, 
 
 Make ready thy heart 
 In sorrow and mourning 
 
 To bear its part. 
 
 For things which thou lovest 
 
 Will fade and decay, 
 And friends whom thou provest 
 
 Will all pass away. 
 The gift, which by Heaven, 
 
 Was sent thee to cheer, 
 Will vanish at Even 
 
 And leave thee in fear. 
 
42 WAIT. 
 
 Some friends will forget thee, 
 
 And foes will frown ; 
 Ills then shall beset thee, 
 
 To crush thee down. 
 To wait is thy duty ; 
 
 The darkness will fly, 
 And calm light with beauty 
 
 Shall brighten the sky. 
 
 With heart nigh to breaking 
 
 Rest thou in the Lord, 
 To weary hearts, aching, 
 
 He aid will afford. 
 What doubt is now glooming 
 
 In mystery's shroud, 
 His love is illuming 
 
 Beyond the cloud. 
 
 The shadows that hover 
 
 Regard not : be strong ; 
 These clouds will pass over, 
 
 And light ere long 
 With sunshine and gladness 
 
 O'er thee will shine, 
 And sighing and sadness 
 
 No more be thine. 
 
WAIT. 43 
 
 Whatever betide thee, 
 
 Still wait on the Lord ; 
 Seek Him, He will guide thee, 
 
 And succour afford ; 
 Tho' dangers press round thee 
 
 While sojourning here, 
 His angels surround thee ; 
 
 No foe can draw near ! 
 
SHADOWS OF THE PAST. 
 
 As Evening's calm and sombre shadows cast 
 A gloom of pensive sadness o'er the spirit, 
 So to my soul the shadows of the past 
 Recall those thoughts which sorrow doth inherit. 
 
 They tell of scenes without or pain or joy, 
 
 Of youth's bright hopes bowed low by grief and sadness, 
 
 Of pleasures marred, alas ! by foul alloy, 
 
 Of scenes in which I saw nor smile nor gladness. 
 
 They tell of days of toil and nights of woe, 
 When my lone spirit was oppressed and weary, 
 When oft I knew not where for joy to go 
 This cold, hard world was all so sad and dreary. 
 
 Within the silent grave, in days long past, 
 
 Were laid dear friends, whom Death from me did sever ; 
 
 But memory doth a halo round them cast, 
 
 Which will shine bright for ever and for ever ! 
 
 The friends of youth and home from me are gone, 
 To other climes and friends their love is given ; 
 To-night, the moon shines o'er the storied stone 
 Of other friends beloved, who are in heaven. 
 
SHADOWS OF THE PAS 7. 45 
 
 The holy infant sleeps with folded palms, 
 Beneath the sod he waits a brighter morrow ; 
 His gentle voice was sweet as angels' psalms, 
 His smile of love refreshed my soul in sorrow. 
 
 The soldier-friend in war's dread havoc died ; 
 Far from his home and kindred dust he sleepeth ; 
 The scabbard, sabreless, is by his side, 
 The bivouac at night no more he keepeth. 
 
 The surging billows moan the ship above, 
 Round which my hopes, and wishes fond, did hover; 
 And many brave and noble hearts I love 
 The waves of ocean wild alone shall cover ! 
 
 Ah ! many a chair is empty this lone night, 
 In many a household nook and fireside ingle ; 
 And those who once sat there to cheer our sight 
 Shall never come again, with us to mingle. 
 
 Like as a storm, in Autumn's darkest night, x 
 Tears from the oak the greenest leaves and searest, 
 So has strong Death removed from my sight 
 My best beloved ; the noblest and the dearest. 
 
 And by the graves of many, dead and gone, 
 I stand alone, by sorrow rudely shaken ; 
 I see the shadows fading one by one, 
 As some old friend away from me is taken. 
 
46 SHADOWS OF THE PAST. 
 
 Alas ! no voice is ever heard to sound 
 From out those graves ; no sign, or word, or token, 
 Is sent to me from that dread world profound, 
 Whose silence yet, hath no man ever broken. 
 
 But soon the Morning of this night shall break 
 In one bright flood of golden light and glory ; 
 The shadows shall disperse ; then I shall take 
 My treasures from the grave, so dark and hoary ! 
 
 Father ! my hope is fixed alone in Thee ; 
 Let me receive whate'er in love is given ; 
 And when Thou takest aught, give faith to see 
 That I shall meet with all I love in heaven. 
 
GOD'S ACRE. 
 
 A REMINISCENCE. 
 " 'O\iyrj dt KfiaontaQa 
 
 K6vif, 6ffT8lt)P XvQkvTWV." 
 
 ANAC. 
 
 How calmly sleep the dead ! Their night has come, 
 
 The long, lorg night of death when none can work. 
 
 Oh ! let this truth sink down into my soul : 
 
 For earthly things shall perish soon, and fade 
 
 Like Dead Sea fruit, which looks so bright and fair, 
 
 But on the lips to acrid ashes turns ; 
 
 While holy works, done for the Lord, endure, 
 
 And scatter sweetest fragrance evermore. 
 
 How dear to meditate at Evening time 
 
 Where our beloved ones sleep ! The calm blue light 
 
 Doth rest upon the high majestic hills, 
 
 And silence reigns supreme thro' all the vale ; 
 
 The zephyrs sweet are fanned by angel wings, 
 
 And silver brooks are singing songs of peace. 
 
 This is the hour when meditation calm 
 
 Holds high communion with the blessed dead. 
 
 And here mine sleep ; how solemn is the place ! 
 
48 GOD'S ACRE. 
 
 Here rests the man of threescore years and ten, 
 
 Whose silver locks and gentle voice we loved. 
 
 The lips of homeless orphans blessed his name, 
 
 And widows spake, with gratitude, his praise. 
 
 His spirit lives with God : with joy divine 
 
 He quaffs the cup of immortality ! 
 
 From far-off halls in heavenly light serene, 
 
 Where ne'er is seen the shadow of a cloud, 
 
 He looks upon the grave where rests his dust ; 
 
 Perchance he smiles on me : a spirit's smile is bliss ! 
 
 And here, too, lies my youth's sincerest friend, 
 
 Who fell beside me in the march of life, 
 
 And went to find a home in brighter worlds : 
 
 Calm be thy rest, sweet soul ! thou sleep'st in peace, 
 
 But may thy spirit hover round me now. 
 
 And here is laid the bright-haired child I loved, 
 
 Whose sweet blue eyes shed light into my heart ; 
 
 Her brow was fair as snow on sunlit hills, 
 
 Her golden hair was bright as sungilt clouds ; 
 
 Her dulcet song oft cheered my weary soul, 
 
 And filled my heart with longings after God ! 
 
 Ye ministers of highest heaven, behold, 
 
 And watch her sleeping dust, which I would fain 
 
 Securely guard from every ill ; like her 
 
 Who in sweet water drank the dust of death. 
 
 And here the infant rests, secure from woe, 
 
 A bud, ere blown, transplanted into heaven. 
 
 More peaceful far than Summer's calmest Eve 
 
 Is the repose of childhood's face in death ! 
 
GOD'S ACRE. 49 
 
 And thou, the dearest of our earthly friends, 
 
 My sister sweet ! alas, art sleeping here. 
 
 Ah ! woe is me, that I am left alone, 
 
 Without thy love to cheer me on my way ! 
 
 Say, do bright spirits from the spirit-world 
 
 Watch over and bring succour unto us, 
 
 Whom they have loved and left ? Do they look 
 
 down 
 
 And watch us here while we remember them ? 
 Within our hearts enshrined thy memory dear 
 Shall dwell apart, as Evening's only star, 
 Until, with us, it sinks in death's dark night, 
 And wakens once again at Morning's dawn 
 Into the holy light of heavenly day ! 
 Ah me ! ah me ! so many friends are gone, 
 And I am left awhile to linger here. 
 Oh, if they still were with me, I would pour 
 My wealth of love into each loving heart, 
 And make them glad with love the livelong day 1 
 But many friends remain, whom I may love, 
 And thus fill up what still is left, for Christ, 
 Who, tho' He clothes Himself with living light, 
 Did once on earth put on our mortal flesh, 
 And slept in death, within the silent grave, 
 And rose again, that He might make the tomb 
 A highway to the gates of Zion's hilL 
 And here the epitaph I read of one 
 Who in his day was wise and good and great, 
 But not recorded on this stone, his fame, 
 
 4 
 
50 GOD'S ACRE. 
 
 That is engraven in the people's hearts. 
 And still he lives in many a noble life, 
 Made true by following closely in his steps. 
 Oh, let his tomb be honoured ! Let the feet 
 Of pilgrims be directed where he lies, 
 That all may learn to honour him in death, 
 And from his grave go forth to live like him. 
 Beside him lies the wretch who made earth sad 
 By his foul deeds and cankering selfishness : 
 His memory rots ; forgotten be his name. 
 Here lies a weary heart before its time, 
 Whom want of love and sympathy laid low. 
 Ah ! cruel be the pangs that rend the hearts 
 Of those who fill life's bitter cup with woe 
 For one of God's dear children, single-eyed. 
 The simple cross o'er yonder grave doth tell 
 Of victory thro' Him who conquered death, 
 And opened wide the gates of life to all 
 Who follow Him from self, thro' pain, to heaven. 
 How vain the list of titles, and the pomp 
 Of heraldry and adulation loud 
 On yonder tomb ! Know that the dead at last 
 Shall stand without a title save that one 
 Which God's own Spirit gives to him alone 
 Who serves the Lord in faith A SON OF GOD. 
 Now from this place my thoughts take wing, and I 
 Remember myriads more who sleep in death ; 
 Yea, all the earth is one great burial place, 
 And in her bosom large her children rest. 
 
GOD'S ACRE 51 
 
 Among the hills the lonely peasant sleeps, 
 
 And thousands, crowded, sleep in city graves. 
 
 In shrouds of burning sand on desert plains, 
 
 In shrouds of snow on many a distant Alp, 
 
 In fields where war's dread havoc laid men low, 
 
 And in the trackless forest's dim recess 
 
 Men sleep, and wait the resurrection morn ; 
 
 Beneath the ocean's pathless waters too, 
 
 Yea, every spot of all the earth is full 
 
 Of those who lived upon its bosom once ; 
 
 And thus, as one great sepulchre, it swings 
 
 Around the sun, until a brighter Sun 
 
 Shall shine upon it, and His voice call forth 
 
 The thronging millions from their sleep of death ! 
 
 How different the beings are who sleep 
 
 Within those graves ! Some are the saints of God 
 
 Who wait with hope the resurrection morn, 
 
 And some endure the punishment of sin. 
 
 The hero, red from gory battle-field ; 
 
 The babbler, who once talked of teaching God 
 
 To frame His universe ; the bold bad man, 
 
 Who railed at God and scoffed at Christ and Paul ; 
 
 The genius, who did prostitute his gifts 
 
 To sinful ends ; the miser, who, for gold, 
 
 Sold peace of mind and hope of life to come ; 
 
 The saint, who, like his Master, went about 
 
 Doing his neighbour good ; the holy child, 
 
 Who, like a snowflake, came to earth and died ; 
 
52 GOD'S ACRE. 
 
 And patriarch and prophet and apostle, 
 And preacher of the gospel, all are there ; 
 Yea, some of every station, clime, and creed, 
 Are numbered with the dead, and sleep in death. 
 And full as is the earth of those who died, 
 Yet there is room for all who live ; and soon 
 Shall each repose within his narrow bed. 
 O God 1 my Father, Saviour, Sanctifier, 
 Prepare my soul for that most solemn hour 
 When I shall lay me down to sleep in death, 
 And let me rest in hope, that I shall wake 
 To life,, in Thy dear likeness, satisfied ! 
 
THE UNKNOWN DEAD, 
 
 THEY sleep alone, 
 
 No storied stone 
 Tells of their birth or name ; 
 
 And the weary blast 
 
 Of the night sweeps past, 
 And bewails their death in sad, sad moan, 
 The sons who are lost to fame. 
 
 O'er the unknown dead 
 
 In their silent bed 
 All night doth Nature weep, 
 
 O'er the lonely grave 
 
 Of the good and brave 
 Her cold, cold tears she ever doth shed, 
 And her silent watch doth keep. 
 
 The starlit skies 
 
 With sleepless eyes 
 Behold each grassy mound ; 
 
 And the night bird moans, 
 
 And the yew tree groans, 
 And the bat in silence o'er them flies 
 Past that cold and dismal ground. 
 
54 THE UNKNOWN DEAD. 
 
 Come, Christian, here, 
 
 And the silent tear, 
 For those departed shed ; 
 
 And list to the song 
 
 Of the glorious throng 
 Of those who are past each doubt and fear, 
 The holy ones the blessed dead. 
 
 Ah ! say, is there given 
 
 The power in heaven, 
 To those who have failed in life, 
 
 To do great things 
 
 For the King of kings, 
 Which here, tho 1 hard they had striven, 
 They failed in, thro* fear and strife ? 
 
THE BLESSED DEAD. 
 
 Ot (let O1/T9. 
 
 How oft on Memory's golden wings 
 Will past hours hover round us ! 
 And then we joy in holy things, 
 
 For friends in bliss surround us. 
 Our loved and lost come back again 
 To cheer our souls in grief and pain, 
 And prompt within us thoughts divine, 
 Which through our actions brightly shine. 
 
 And these are moments dear as gold, 
 
 Recalling friends departed, 
 Who share the joy of bliss untold, 
 
 By God to them imparted. 
 We cannot now tell all the joy, 
 The calm repose, the blest employ, 
 Experienced by the saints in light 
 'Mid rapture high, and sweet delight ! 
 
 In that bright land beyond the tomb, 
 All pain for ever ceases ; 
 
56 THE BLESSED DEAD. 
 
 And there for ages yet to come 
 The saints' delight increases. 
 For Jesus is their joy and crown : 
 He brought to earth salvation down 
 From heaven, where first its streams began, 
 And there its fulness blesses man. 
 
 We oft with them took counsel sweet, 
 
 Each heart its own love feeling, 
 As low we bowed at Jesu's feet, 
 
 In God's bright presence kneeling. 
 With them we hold communion still, 
 For, of the church on Zion's hill, 
 We are a part : their toil is o'er 
 But they remember friends of yore. 
 
 Blest were the hours so calmly spent, 
 
 And fond remembrance ever 
 Recalls those friends in mercy lent, 
 Whom nought from us can sever ! 
 Communion with the saints in bliss, 
 And Father, Son, and Spirit, is 
 The sweetest, holiest rapture given 
 To any, save the joys of heaven ! 
 
 Their memory's blest ! they hover near, 
 Like light when Day is departed, 
 
 We love them still, so good, so dear, 
 So true, so noble-hearted ! 
 
THE BLESSED DEAD. 57 
 
 And soon, before the Saviour's face, 
 Within our Father's holy place, 
 Shall we rejoice with those we love, 
 In God's eternal world above. 
 
 They, like sweet flowers, to kindlier soil 
 
 By death have been transplanted ; 
 And we but wait a little while, 
 
 Till our release is granted. 
 And now we long their bliss to share, 
 Their glory and their pleasure, where 
 The Lord of Life doth blessings shed 
 On souls for whom He once had bled. 
 
 They sing of love in yonder sphere, 
 Which song, when first beginning, 
 They sang in broken accents here, 
 
 Because of pain and sinning. 
 But now, the notes of that sweet song, 
 They, day and night, in bliss prolong, 
 For no distraction haunts them there, 
 Whene'er they join in psalm or prayer. 
 
 Oh ! for wings to mount the skies, 
 
 And enter yon bright portals 
 Of that blest home, where never dies 
 
 One child of its Immortals ! 
 There youth's bright sun shall ne'er go down, 
 And there eternal life shall crown 
 
58 THE BLESSED DEAD. 
 
 The sainted head of sire and son, 
 Matron and maid, when time is done. 
 
 The memory of the just shall be 
 
 For ever blest and holy, 
 No matter of whate'er degree, 
 
 Or young, or great, or lowly. 
 And oft, when Daylight's glare is gone 
 And Evening's holy hours come on, 
 Shall we recall sweet moments fled, 
 And think of loved ones who are dead. 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 W. C. 
 
 OBIIT APRILIS XVII. MDCCCXLIX. 
 
 MY years, alas ! have sadly sped 
 
 Since thou so loved, so dear 
 Wast numbered with the blessed dead. 
 
 And buried here. 
 
 I come, thy well-known grave to see, 
 And here to think alone of thee. 
 Calm be the moments which I spend : 
 To me, kind Heaven, Thy comfort lend. 
 
 A solemn awe comes o'er me now, 
 
 As by thy grave I stand, 
 And think how glory crowns thy brow 
 
 In that blest land, 
 Where leaves for healing ever grow, 
 And all their sweetness thou dost know ;- 
 Where, from the Life of life, is shed 
 Eternal youth on every head. 
 
 As dies a rose in brightest bloom 
 When storms sweep rudely by, 
 
60 IN MEMORIAM, 
 
 So death has snatched thee to the tomb ; 
 
 But safe on high 
 
 Thou art, where storms are felt no more ; 
 On Zion's hill, on Canaan's shore ; 
 There in the light of God to stand, 
 In radiance of that sunless land 
 
 Thy harp of pure^and lucid gold 
 
 Resounds in rapturous tone, 
 When thou dost sweep its trembling chords 
 
 To praise alone 
 
 The Christ who died to set thee free, 
 The Lord, the Lamb of Calvary ! 
 And, as thine eyes behold heaven's King, 
 His praise with angels thou dost sing. 
 
 Calm as the silver starlight looks 
 
 On plains of dazzling snow, 
 And pure as ice on limpid brooks, 
 
 Thy pleasures now ; 
 For God has wiped away thy tears, 
 And calmed thy sorrows and thy fears, 
 Now thou art near the glassy sea, 
 Life's crystal stream flows bright for thee. 
 
 May I through grace yet follow thee 
 To yon bright world above, 
 
IN MEMOR1AM. 61 
 
 Where I my Saviour's face shall see, 
 
 Him praise and love, 
 With those who walk, arrayed in white, 
 Thro' all the glowing worlds of light, 
 And holy songs in rapture sing 
 For ever to my Saviour King. 
 
 Jesu ! while here on earth I stay 
 Be Thou my King and Friend, 
 And wheresoe'er my footsteps stray, 
 
 My walks attend : 
 O guide me with Thy counsel here, 
 In hours of wild despair be near ; 
 And, at the last, may life's rude storms 
 But land me safely in Thine arms. 
 
HADES. 
 
 WHEN the night is calm and cloudless, stars of brightest 
 
 glory shine ; 
 When the heart is pure and holy, dwells within us light 
 
 divine. 
 
 And, as shine the stars in heaven, when dark clouds 
 
 come not between, 
 So to holy, trusting Sorrow, saints in light are clearly 
 
 seen. 
 
 Sweet the memory which we cherish of the holy, happy 
 
 dead, 
 Who in spirit still surround us, and their blessings o'er 
 
 us shed f 
 
 Weary, sad, and lonely mourners, who deplore their 
 
 absence now, 
 Hear from far their songs of gladness, as before God's 
 
 throne they bow. 
 
 And the soul bowed down with anguish sees thro' tears 
 
 the better land, 
 Holds communion with bright spirits, who before the 
 
 Saviour stand. 
 
HADES. 63 
 
 Where are heard the martyrs' voices mingling with the 
 
 holy song, 
 As they cry beneath the altar, " O how long, O Lord, 
 
 how long ? " 
 
 And we pray, " Lord God Almighty, let Thy glorious 
 
 kingdom come," 
 Then shall we, with all the faithful, enter our eternal 
 
 home. 
 
 Then shall Christ, the great Immanuel, take unto Him 
 
 power and reign, 
 And unlock the gates of Hades, where the spirits now 
 
 remain. 
 
 There departed souls are gathered to the fathers of our 
 
 race, 
 And all faithful saints, rejoicing, see their Saviour face to 
 
 face. 
 
 And alas ! the souls of sinners, separated, there abide ; 
 Now they know the woe and sorrow which to sin must 
 aye betide. 
 
 Is there hope that in the darkness light may dawn on 
 
 them at last ? 
 Shall they find that sin's foul burden may while there 
 
 aside be cast ? 
 
64 HADES. 
 
 Will the punishment and anguish suffered there 'mid 
 
 woe's loud din, 
 Make them shun the path rebellious, the dark and 
 
 gloomy path of sin ? 
 
 Conscious of their joy and glory, peaceful rest the holy 
 
 saints ; 
 Conscious of their separation, sinners make their sad 
 
 complaints. 
 
 Those, now freed from sin and anguish, soon shall enter 
 
 their bright home ; 
 These, in wretched woe lamenting, wait for judgment yet 
 
 to come. 
 
 Those, as kings and priests, with Jesus soon shall reign 
 
 o'er all the earth ; 
 These, remorseful and tormented, curse the hour that 
 
 gave them birth. 
 
 Those, thro' tears of sad bereavement, we behold in 
 
 peace above ; 
 These, in anguish and desertion, feel not aught of Jesu's 
 
 love. 
 
 Those have eyes to see the future, and behold the love 
 
 of God; 
 These endure, in woe and darkness, direful scourging of 
 
 His rod. 
 
HADES. 65 
 
 Those have eyes for retrospection, and God's love to 
 
 them adore ; 
 These look back and see the shipwrecks which bestrew 
 
 life's distant shore. 
 
 Those have eyes for introspection, and thrice Holy ever 
 
 sing; 
 These, their sinful hearts beholding, feel remorse with 
 
 maddening sting. 
 
 In the worship always given to the Lamb upon the 
 
 throne, 
 Join the sons of all creation, save the guilty lost 
 
 alone, 
 
 In God's Paradise are waiting all who served the Lord 
 
 while here, 
 All their travail now is ended, wiped away is every tear. 
 
 Near to Israel's faithful father all the faithful children 
 
 rest, 
 And by God, the Lord of Mercy, for their faith are 
 
 truly blest. 
 
 Christ, in glory, high and holy, sitteth now at God's 
 
 right hand, 
 "Far above all heavens'' pleading, saints around the 
 
 altar stand. 
 
66 HADES. 
 
 Not the fulness of their glory do they yet possess above, 
 They are waiting till God's people all shall taste re- 
 deeming love. 
 
 Waiting till, again united, soul and body both shall stand, 
 Bright and glorious, in the radiance of that holy, sunless 
 land. 
 
 Where, for His redeemed, bright mansions doth the 
 
 Saviour now prepare, 
 Soon His righteous word of judgment shall decide who 
 
 enters there. 
 
 First shall death restore the body, which the grave in 
 
 darkness hides, 
 Hades shall yield up the spirit which in it awhile abides. 
 
 Then the universal Easter of all men shall once be seen. 
 God's archangel's awful trumpet shall to judgment all 
 convene. 
 
 All men then shall stand before Thee, blessed Saviour, 
 
 Judge and King ! 
 Some shall sweetest words of welcome unto higher 
 
 honours bring ; 
 
 Some shall words of condemnation unto darkness dread 
 
 consign. 
 Jesu ! save me from such terrors, to Thy love my 
 
 heart incline. 
 
HADES. 67 
 
 Open wide ye gates eternal ! white-robed saints shall 
 enter in, 
 
 Jesus, our Almighty Saviour, vanquished Death and con- 
 quered sin ! 
 
 In eternal mansions holy, fulness of His joy shall rest 
 On the souls who enter with Him that bright land where 
 all are blest. 
 
 Lord, Creator ! guide our footsteps in the path of duty 
 
 now, 
 That hereafter crowns of glory may encircle every brow. 
 
 Jesu, merciful Redeemer ! cleanse our souls from sin 
 
 and shame, 
 Make us Thy disciples wholly, write on us Thy Saving 
 
 Name. 
 
 Holy Spirit, Sanctiner ! dwell within our hearts in love, 
 Make us meet, while here, to enter yonder home in 
 
 heaven above. 
 
 Amen. 
 
EVERMORE. 
 
 IN the future earth and heaven 
 We shall live where peace is given 
 
 Unto all who, faithful ever, Christ's reproach in thi3 
 world bore. 
 
 Where the Morning ever shineth, 
 And the daylight ne'er declineth, 
 
 Where shall stand for ever open, all the day the holy door: 
 Zion's gate all bright and glorious : Zion's dazzling, pearly 
 door 
 
 Evermore. 
 
 Where the cry of woe and sadness 
 Ne'er is heard amid the gladness 
 
 Of the many thousands gathered unto that bright happy 
 shore, 
 
 And where death no more can seize us ; 
 But beneath the smile of Jesus, 
 Calm, secure, and safe for ever, we shall think on days of 
 
 yore 
 
 Days of sorrow and temptation, when our hearts were 
 sad and sore 
 
 Evermore. 
 
EVERMORE. 69 
 
 Where, redeemed from every nation, 
 Men bow down in adoration, 
 
 And their glad, unceasing praises in loud Alleluias pour 
 Unto Christ the King of heaven, 
 Praise by every saint is given. 
 There, secure, there, safely gathered, thence we shall go 
 
 out no more. 
 
 All our toil and sorrow over on that blissful happy shore 
 
 Evermore. 
 
 Where the Living creatures holy, 
 And the Elders bowing lowly, 
 
 Cast their crowns upon the crystal as they fall God's 
 throne before, 
 
 Crying, " Holy ! Holy ! Holy ! " 
 To the Lord the King Almighty, 
 Who has made us, and redeemed us, by His cross and 
 
 passion sore, 
 
 Of our sins on Golgotha, He in love the burden bore. 
 
 Evermore. 
 
 Where the presence of our Saviour, 
 In His gracious, loving favour, 
 
 Is vouchsafed to all His loved ones, who His absence 
 here deplore. 
 
 Earth, to them, is dark and dreary, 
 Here His saints are sad and weary : 
 
70 EVERMORE. 
 
 Oh ! the joy and bliss and glory there to see whom here- 
 tofore, 
 Tho' they loved, they ne'er beheld Him : there to pray 
 
 His feet before 
 
 Evermore. 
 
 Where the tree of life doth flourish, 
 And its fruit the nations nourish ; 
 
 And where burning thirst or hunger never can assail us 
 more, 
 
 For the Lord Himself shall feed us, 
 And to living fountains lead us : 
 
 Where the sparkling waters freely bounding on for ever- 
 more 
 
 Into Life's calm, stately river all their living waters pour 
 
 Evermore. 
 
 Where the saints in peace inherit, 
 From the comfort-giving Spirit, 
 
 Joys divine ; and where their songs, they sing in joy for 
 evermore. 
 
 Where they tell redemption's story, 
 And to Christ the King of Glory, 
 Sweetest songs of praises sing they, as they lovingly 
 
 adore 
 
 Jesus Christ, in holiest rapture, never felt so dear 
 before, 
 
 Evermore. 
 
EVERMORE. 71 
 
 Where the martyr's blood-stained streamer 
 Floats in sight of his Redeemer, 
 
 Now before the feet of Jesus, rests he calm, life's sorrows 
 o'er; 
 
 Near Him who died on Calvary's mountain, 
 From whose side flowed forth the fountain, 
 Where Faith's sons are cleansed ; and Jesus God's lost 
 
 image doth restore : 
 
 Unto all who love and serve Him, life and light He doth 
 restore, 
 
 Evermore. 
 
 Where departed friends shall meet us, 
 And with words of love shall greet us, 
 While with them our Father's Kingdom we eternally 
 explore. 
 
 Filled with awe and holy wonder, 
 We o'er each bright scene shall ponder, 
 Far from sin's distracting noises : far from this world's 
 
 deafening roar, 
 Calmly there for ever rest we, on that tranquil, happy 
 
 shore, 
 
 Evermore. 
 
 Where in robes of spotless whiteness, 
 And Life's crowns of dazzling brightness, 
 We shall walk in peace for ever, and to Jesus Christ 
 outpour 
 
72 EVERMORE. 
 
 Our glad songs of joy unceasing, 
 Which, for evermore increasing, 
 In full swell, till all the blessed grace and strength from 
 
 God implore ; 
 Grace and strength to sing for ever, from their God they 
 
 all implore 
 
 Evermore. 
 
 Where the floods of light for ever 
 
 Flow like an unceasing river, 
 
 From our God upon His throne, whence rays of glory 
 ever pour 
 
 Down upon the thousands holy, 
 
 Bowed before His feet so lowly ; 
 Where in prostrate adoration they for ever Him adore. 
 God the Father, Son, and Spirit, throned in light they all 
 
 adore 
 
 Evermore. 
 
PRIDE. 
 
 A CALM sweet voice, in accents low, 
 Said unto me : " Thou must forego 
 All earthly pride, true good to know." 
 
 Within my soul a tempest woke, 
 
 A strife of tongues the silence broke, 
 
 As each proud lust his passion spoke. 
 
 And then, in subtler argument, 
 With scorn and indignation blent, 
 Each to mine ear his message sent. 
 
 To each, the gentle voice replied 
 In words both calm and dignified, 
 Which made them all in turn subside. 
 
 " The pride of Birth and Rank," said one, 
 " Is only self-respect." When done, 
 The voice said : " Christ was Mary's Son." 
 
 The pride of Wealth his glory spread. 
 
 The gentle voice so calmly said : 
 
 " He had not where to lay His Head." 
 
74 PRIDE. 
 
 The pride of PJace, with haughty mien, 
 Spake loud his claim. The voice between : 
 " He shall be called a Nazarene." 
 
 The pride of Beauty said no less 
 
 Than, " I am fair." The voice did press : 
 
 " He hath no form nor comeliness." 
 
 Now Reputation sought his end 
 
 By aiming high. The voice did send 
 
 Me unto Christ the poor man's Friend. 
 
 Proud Independence reared his head, 
 To stoop to none. The sweet voice said : 
 " He oft accepted daily bread." 
 
 And Learning came, with thoughtful brow. 
 
 Of Him he said of old as now, 
 
 " Hath this man letters ! where and how ? " 
 
 Ambition's fierce, commanding eye 
 
 Read in the page of prophecy : 
 
 u By serving, He was raised on high." 
 
 Success, my heart had moved again, 
 
 But His sad lot renewed my pain : 
 
 " He was despised and scorned of men." 
 
PRIDE. 75 
 
 Proud Self-reliance help had spurned, 
 But He Whom all good-will has earned 
 In Nazareth obedience learned. 
 
 Ability vouchsafed to few 
 Upon my pride in silence grew. 
 He said : " By self I nothing do," 
 
 My Will was strong and bold, until 
 I learned of Him Who doth fulfil 
 All good : " I do My Father's will." 
 
 Proud Intellect did great things seek. 
 The voice replied in accents meek : 
 " My Father taught Me ; so I speak." 
 
 And Bigotry all love forgot, 
 
 And would a name from helping blot. 
 
 The voice replied : " Forbid him not." 
 
 Resentment back the blow would give, 
 
 And punish sore without reprieve. 
 
 He prayed for foes that they might live. 
 
 Reserve would wrap his cloak around, 
 And walk alone on holy ground, 
 But He in others comfort found. 
 
76 PRIDE. 
 
 Self-righteousness with garments clean, 
 With sinners would not e'er be seen. 
 He did not spurn the Magdalene. 
 
 O Jesu ! help me pride to shun, 
 
 And walk with Thee, Thou Blessed One, 
 
 Until this sinful life be done. 
 
 And after death, O let me be 
 Where I Thy Holy Face shall see, 
 And there grow ever liker Thee. 
 
\ 
 
 THE ORPHANS. 
 
 FOUNDED ON FACT. 
 
 FATHER and mother ! Ah, both were gone 
 Unto God's bright home in heaven, 
 
 Their orphans are left in the world alone 
 On the waves of life's ocean driven. 
 
 At the close of a cold, bleak winter's day 
 
 In the bitter frosty weather, 
 They went to see where their parents lay 
 
 In the sleep of death together. 
 
 The light shone out from the rich man's home, 
 Where the warm bright lamps were burning, 
 
 Alas ! they must go and in sorrow roam 
 To the graves of their loved ones turning. 
 
 And thoughts came over each weary heart, 
 
 Like dark clouds over a river. 
 They wept aloud, for they now must part, 
 
 From the graves they loved, for ever ! 
 
78 THE ORPHANS. 
 
 In yonder home so warm and bright 
 They heard children's voices singing. 
 
 The Christ-child came on that holy night, 
 And the bells were loudly ringing. 
 
 The Christmas tree in that lordly hall 
 Awaited to bless the morrow. 
 
 The eldest child to God doth call : 
 " Let them never know our sorrow." 
 
 A wandering star shot thro' the sky, 
 And seemed to the deep blue given. 
 
 She said while her eyes were raised on high, 
 " A soul has entered heaven ! " 
 
 And now on her mother's grave she lies, 
 Forsaken, unknown to pity ; 
 
 Not any one heard her mournful cries, 
 In yonder sinful city. 
 
 A holy light shone around them there, 
 As quick their hearts were beating, 
 
 While angel songs filled all the air, 
 And they heard a voice repeating : 
 
7HE ORFPIANS. 79 
 
 " Children of poverty ; now behold 
 And shout and sing for gladness : 
 
 We bring to each a crown of gold, 
 We come to end your sadness. 
 
 From the Lord of life, a garment white 
 
 Unto each of you is given, 
 And a palm to wave ; you have won the fight : 
 
 To-night you shall enter heaven." 
 
 Soon all was still and calm again ; 
 
 The orphans bowed down lowly, 
 And tho' they suffered cold and pain, 
 
 They blessed the vision holy. 
 
 " Sister," the little one gently said, 
 " I am cold and sad and weary ; 
 
 Will you be sorry when I am dead ? 
 Will life be then more dreary ? " 
 
 Close in her arms she gently laid 
 
 Her little baby sister, 
 And wrapped her in her own thin plaid, 
 
 As tenderly she kissed her. 
 
8o THE ORPHANS. 
 
 Near to her heart she gently lay, 
 And fell asleep from sorrow : 
 
 She now enjoys a happier day, 
 In heaven's bright to-morrow. 
 
 The snow fell fast, and the orphan wept, 
 Her weary heart seemed breaking 
 
 At the grave where all so calmly slept, 
 Now she alone was waking. 
 
 " Mother ! " she cried, " O come and take 
 Your child from sorrows riven. " 
 
 She fell asleep ; and now is awake, 
 In the calm, sweet bliss of heaven. 
 
QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT. 
 
 Go where the little children are lisping Jesus' Name, 
 And tell them how the Saviour for their redemption came. 
 
 Go where the needy famish for lack of heavenly bread, 
 And tell them how the faithful by Jesus Christ are fed. 
 
 Go where the helpless orphans are pining, sore distrest, 
 Oh succour them and lead them to Jesus' loving breast. 
 
 Go where sin's wounded captives lie down in dumb 
 
 despair, 
 And speak a word of blessing upon the troubled air. 
 
 Go where the weak and fearful with tottering footsteps 
 
 tread 
 The way to Christ, and tell them the gentle words He 
 
 said. 
 
 Go where the moral lepers in loathsome dungeons lie, 
 Tell them the Balm of Gilead with healing power is nigh. 
 
 Go to the squalid prisons where crime feels sore the rod, 
 And bear a gospel message to win the heart to God. 
 
 6 
 
82 QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT. 
 
 Go where the souls benighted in mental darkness dwell, 
 And of the light of heaven in winning accents tell. 
 
 Go where the abject wander, and where the erring stray ; 
 Oh bring them back to Jesus, and love, and joy, and day ! 
 
 Go where the shallow scoffer scatters his seeds of death, 
 And tell him that his poison works on when stops his 
 breath. 
 
 Go where thy Faith can see men as jewels lost, but found, 
 And tread with holy gladness the sacred, blood-stained 
 ground. 
 
 Go where sweet Hope doth guide thee with vestal lamp 
 
 all bright, 
 To speed the " true Light " onward in earth's dark, gloomy 
 
 night 
 
 Go where true Love can labour : in light or darkness go, 
 And work, till Death thine armour strikes off with one 
 fell blow. 
 
 For then the joy of heaven will be more true and sweet 
 When those whom thou hast succoured, shall rest at Jesus' 
 feet. 
 
THE BRIGHTEST ROSE.* 
 
 THE rose which speaks of love, 
 Shines bright in Morning's ray or Evening's gold ; 
 Its glory is all other flowers above, 
 
 Its charms are manifold. 
 
 The wild rose blooms alone, 
 With apple-scented leaves it decks the bowers 
 Of Love and Beauty when Spring flowers are gone 
 
 In summer's happy hours. 
 
 The Provence rose is bright, 
 And bright the gardens where it buds and blooms, 
 In that sweet clime whose cool, clear air of night 
 
 Most sweetly it perfumes. 
 
 The rose of Science fair 
 Reveals such glories to the raptured sight 
 Of Learning's sons, that they behold in her 
 
 All things or dark or light. 
 
 * Thoughts from Hans Christian Andersen. 
 
84 THE BRIGHTEST ROSE. 
 
 Sweet is the rose that shines 
 Deep in an infant's loving, trustful eyes, 
 Whose smile within the mother's heart enshrines 
 
 The love which never dies. 
 
 Bright was the rose that bloomed 
 Upon our hero's grave, when, dust to dust, 
 In glory's 'mid career, he lay entombed 
 
 In faithful, holy trust. 
 
 The pale sweet rose of Grief 
 Is watered by sad tears, shed in the night, 
 From weary eyes, when sorrow finds relief: 
 
 So pure, so sweet, so white ! 
 
 The rose of Love, which dwells 
 Within a bride's pure heart in holy bliss, 
 No eye can see, but thence, like draughts from wells, 
 
 Refreshment gives, and peace. 
 
 Religion's rose is known, 
 When happy hearts, in joy and love and grace, 
 Repeat their solemn vows to God alone, 
 
 In earth's most holy place. 
 
 The brightest rose that blooms 
 In heaven or earth is Jesus' love to man ; 
 Bright Rose of Sharon ! sweetly it perfumes 
 
 All love, since life began ! 
 
THE BRIGHTEST ROSE. 85 
 
 On Calvary's mount it grows : 
 
 From heaven it came : from blooming realms of bliss 
 How bright ! how pure ! Nor man nor angel knows 
 
 A brighter rose than this ! 
 
 Whoso receives this rose 
 From Jesus, reigning in the heavens high, 
 He only life and joy eternal knows, 
 
 For he shall never die. 
 
THE HARVEST BRIDE. 
 
 IT had been hot and weary all the day, 
 But now the heat was past ; a pleasant warmth 
 Filled all the air, and a refreshing breeze 
 Was rustling through the woodland yellow leaved. 
 The long white grass bent low beside the pool : 
 The leaves on all the trees in all the woods 
 Were tinted with autumnal mellowness ; 
 And far away beneath a gleaming sky 
 Waved many acres of bright, golden corn. 
 Home from their work within the harvest field 
 Walked Farmer Radcliffe with his only son ; 
 And, true to the primeval sentence, once 
 Pronounced by God Himself, sweat, in great drops, 
 Stood on their weary brows from that day's toil. 
 Right glad were they to come near home at last ; 
 And as they walked thus leisurely along, 
 By the last footpath leading to the house, 
 Which gently sloped up towards a rustic stile, 
 The weary Farmer rested on his way. 
 Beside him Robin laid his sickle down 
 Upon the topmost rail, and looked due west. 
 His eyes that evening followed round and round 
 The wings of an old windmill ; and his thoughts 
 
THE HARVEST BRIDE. 87 
 
 Did enter then a cottage by the mill 
 
 A sweet and rural cottage where his steps 
 
 Were bent at many an eventide like this. 
 
 Quiet it lay, half hid by foliage 
 
 Within a lovely glen beyond the mill. 
 
 The Farmer, seated on the stile, looked o'er 
 
 A splendid English landscape. As the sun 
 
 Was sinking in the west, he dipped behind 
 
 A lake lit up with golden glory ; like 
 
 That sea of glass mingled with fire, of which 
 
 We read in the dark book of the Apocalypse. 
 
 And all the earth around, far off, and near, 
 
 Was bright with Day's departing, glorious light. 
 
 But Radcliffe fixed his eyes upon one field, 
 
 The brightest spot in all the landscape round ; 
 
 A field of yellow corn : the Farmer's own. 
 
 Well grown it was ; the ears were large and full. 
 
 His keen eye saw the golden coins, which there 
 
 Lay hid, as if behind the golden corn. 
 
 For three long days no labourer could be found 
 
 To cut the corn, which now was more than ripe. 
 
 He sat upon the stile sore vexed, and sick 
 
 At heart, to think of precious money lost. 
 
 He swung his stick between his knees awhile, 
 
 As was his wont when he was sore perplexed. 
 
 Anon, after due pause was made, he said : 
 
 " My son ! methinks if yonder field of corn 
 
 Were cut, that I would give consent that thou 
 
 Should'st wed the Shepherd's daughter Bessie Hall." 
 
THE HARVEST BRIDE. 
 
 " What, father ? " asked the youth, as he awoke 
 
 From a sweet reverie, in which he saw 
 
 The bright blue eyes of Bessie his own love. 
 
 The father, smiling grimly, said : "I speak 
 
 Of an impossibility. It grieves 
 
 Me so, to have yon corn still standing there 
 
 So many days, when it is fully ripe, 
 
 That I have thought, if I could get it cut, 
 
 I would consent that thou should'st take to wife 
 
 The Shepherd's daughter yonder Bessie Hall." 
 
 " The corn field shall be cut, if thou wilt give 
 
 To us consent to marry," Robin said. 
 
 Replied the old man then in accents stern : 
 
 " Son Robin, thou talk'st nonsense ; for if I 
 
 Cannot get hands, I wist that thou wilt not." 
 
 " Trust me," said Robin ; " I will use my hands, 
 
 And cut the field of corn all by myself. 
 
 Without thy free consent Bessie will ne'er 
 
 Take me ; let thy consent my wages be." 
 
 The old man laughed outright, for very scorn 
 
 " Canst thou cut down that corn within three 
 
 days ? " 
 
 Robin replied : " God helping me, I will." 
 " Then verily thou shalt have my consent," 
 The old man said; "But mind, she helps thee 
 
 not." 
 
 " So be it," Robin said, and both shook hands 
 To seal the compact, and the old man went 
 Upon his way, smiling incredulously. 
 
THE HARVEST BRIDE. 89 
 
 Of all the maids, in all the hamlets round, 
 To Robin Radcliffe's mind, the sweetest was 
 The humble Shepherd's daughter, Bessie Hall. 
 Comely and neat she was, and fair withal ; 
 A simple grace was in her every step 
 And all her movements ; and her eyes were bright 
 With the pure flame of innocence and love. 
 Two dimples on her lovely face appeared 
 Whene'er she smiled. At Church and Sunday-school 
 Sober and grave she always seemed ; as if 
 Her soul held converse with the saints in light. 
 Her father loved her, and her mother said 
 She was a good, devoted child to them. 
 Her innocence and grace had won the heart 
 Of Robin Radcliffe, the rich Farmer's son. 
 The Farmer set his face against the match : 
 Bessie he liked : " But she was not the wife," 
 He said, " for Robin : he must higher look." 
 The Shepherd's family were quite as good 
 As Farmer RadclifTe's ; but the latter had 
 More wealth laid by, and that had made them proud ! 
 A marriage with a richer maid than she 
 Would more have been to Radcliffe's worldly mind, 
 For that would make his son the richer man ; 
 What matter at what sacrifice of peace 
 The wealth were bought ! 
 
 Robin was young, and had 
 A good, and kind, and generous heart ; his face 
 
THE HARVEST BRIDE. 
 
 And form were fair to look upon ; and he 
 Might chance upon a rich and winsome lass. 
 Bessie was good, affectionate, and kind ; 
 But Radcliffe would not hear of such a match 
 For his rich son. Ambition in his heart 
 Forbad the thought of such a lowly daughter. 
 He never thought that possibility 
 Could bring, by means so far impossible, 
 His own consent to Robin's only choice. 
 " A many-acred field of yellow corn 
 Cut down by his own hand in three short days ! 
 O silly boy ! " And at his own bright thoughts 
 The Farmer laughed aloud. 
 
 In solemn steps 
 
 The Evening came, and Robin's sickle flashed 
 Among the ears of corn, and down they fell, 
 Beside his feet, in long and shining rows. 
 A lad began to bind them into sheaves, 
 And gentle Bessie stood a while beside 
 To watch the work, and scarce could keep her hands 
 From helping too. Robin in silence worked, 
 And swiftly fell the corn before his sickle keen. 
 The moon walked forth in beauty from the clouds, 
 And in her train came one bright, lovely star ; 
 Now Bessie said " Good night/' and went away 
 To pray for Robin. 
 
 As the night wore on, 
 Harder he worked, for love did nerve his arm, 
 
THE HARVEST BRIDE. 91 
 
 And fill his heart with joy. New life and strength 
 
 Seemed e'er to come, as he remembered Bessie. 
 
 Through all the night he toiled. When Morning broke, 
 
 It found him still at work ; and Bessie came 
 
 Blithe, bright, and happy, for she felt that all 
 
 Should yet be well, and that her lover would 
 
 Gain Farmer Radcliffe's free and full consent 
 
 To what her heart so long in secret wished ; 
 
 And she and Robin would be happy soon. 
 
 The farm-boy slept for one brief hour alone, 
 
 But Robin failed not all the live-long night. 
 
 He smiled on Bessie as she came to him, 
 
 And paused awhile to eat the food she brought ; 
 
 Then steadily and rapidly he worked 
 
 Until the sun did mount on high, and slant 
 
 His rays through maple, chestnut, beech, and oak. 
 
 The scarlet berries, and the wild white rose, 
 
 The nightshade, and the poppies drooped with heat. 
 
 The reapers, and the binders, and all those 
 
 Who passed along the highway, cried aloud 
 
 Because of heat and thirst, for now the glass 
 
 Was many high degrees beneath the shade. 
 
 A draught of sparkling water from the brook 
 
 Assuaged their thirst ; as also did at times 
 
 " The cups that cheer but not inebriate." 
 
 Out in the open field the lovers stayed ; 
 
 He worked, and she looked on, and heeded not 
 
 The fierce and burning heat, for love did burn 
 
 With warmer glow within their youthful hearts. 
 
92 THE HARVEST BRIDE. 
 
 Now Evening came, and all things living ceased 
 
 To work, except a wandering bee which lagged 
 
 Behind, with precious food too heavy-laden. 
 
 Again did Bessie say " Good night," while dew 
 
 In holy stillness gathered on the herbs. 
 
 The nightingale trilled forth his lay of love 
 
 Upon the air sweet-scented ; and on high 
 
 The lovely harvest moon walked forth in light. 
 
 The farm-boy slept again, and all the land 
 
 Was robed in silver light, and laid in sleep ; 
 
 But love alone was waking. Robin toiled 
 
 From Even till Morn, from Morn till Even ; sustained 
 
 By love and hope and Bessie's kindly smile. 
 
 And when the third day came, the Farmer passed, 
 
 And with amazement saw his corn-field laid 
 
 By Robin's single arm ; who rested, pale 
 
 And weary, by the stile where three days past 
 
 He made the compact. He had fallen there, 
 
 And Bessie knelt beside him with a cup 
 
 Of sparkling water to his weary lips ; 
 
 Her eyes were full of joyful, happy tears, 
 
 And on her tongue a prayer of thanks to God. 
 
 As Farmer RadclifTe slowly joined the group, 
 
 Conflicting thoughts disturbed his breast ; his tongue 
 
 At first was bound in silence ; then he spake : 
 
 " I could not have believed in this ; but since 
 
 Your love is strong and true, God bless you both, 
 
 1 The labourer is worthy of his hire.' " 
 
 The old man took the Shepherd's daughter's hand, 
 
THE HARVEST BRIDE. 
 
 93 
 
 And looking up to heaven, he thanked the Lord 
 That so much true, unselfish love was found 
 On earth ; and then he placed it in his son's. 
 And when with joy the harvest home was kept, 
 The village bells rang out a merry peal, 
 For Robin took to wife the gentle lass 
 Whom he had chosen, and so bravely won. 
 
TO MY WIFE, FROM ITALY. 
 
 WHATEVER my wondering eyes may see 
 
 In classic lands, of beauty rare, 
 
 My thoughts still wander back to thee, 
 
 And thou art with me everywhere ! 
 
 In France, the home of wit and grace, 
 
 Where Art and Beauty sisters seem, 
 
 I see thy dear familiar face 
 
 In sleeping and in waking dream, 
 
 My arm in fancy round thee twine, 
 
 And closely clasp thy hand in mine. 
 
 Amid the Alps, whose snow-crowned heights 
 
 Direct my thoughts to heaven above, 
 
 Where Fancy's wildest, loftiest flights, 
 
 All bear me to the home of love ; 
 
 I think of thee : for thou didst raise 
 
 My thoughts to these bright scenes at first, 
 
 When from thy lips I heard the praise 
 
 Of those lone hills in music burst. 
 
 I now with greater joy should see 
 
 These lovely scenes, wert thou with me. 
 
TO MY WIFE, FROM ITALY. 95 
 
 Italia ! land of Song, Art, Fame, 
 I hail thee, lovely as thou art, 
 The very mention of thy name 
 With sacred rapture fills the heart ! 
 Thy Poets' sad, but glorious, shades 
 Seem now to watch thy doubtful fate, 
 Thy Painters' speaking canvas fades 
 From walls where age and ruin wait. 
 All these with more observant eye 
 Should I behold if thou wert nigh. 
 
 Beneath the shade of Milan's dome 
 I stood, in awe and wonderment, 
 As visons past, and things to come, 
 Before my soul's eye came and went ; 
 Here Virgil read here Ambrose preached, 
 And here Augustine heard the word 
 Which to his inmost conscience reached 
 The Holy Spirit's two-edged sword 
 If thou wert near, ah, then should I 
 More glory in each scene descry. 
 
 By Como's lake, by day and night, 
 I walked where Pliny walked before, 
 And near to Somma, which, in flight, 
 Bold Scipio's legions dyed with gore. 
 
96 TO MY WIFE, FROM ITALY. 
 
 And in the calm and pale moonlight 
 By Maggiore's banks I strayed, 
 Where fire-flies gleam in bowers at night, 
 In groves whose glories never fade. 
 But all would brighter, lovelier be, 
 Wert thou, my love, my wife, with me. 
 PALLANZA, LAGO MAGGIORE, 
 July 30, 1875. 
 
TO EVELYN. 
 
 JET 8. 
 
 OUR maiden meek, 
 With violet eyes 
 And rosy cheek, 
 And brow as bright 
 As lily white 
 'Neath summer skies. 
 
 Bright be thy life, 
 Without a spot 
 Of sin or strife, 
 And wealth of love 
 From heaven above 
 Be all thy lot. 
 
 Be thy soul pure 
 And innocent ! 
 All things endure 
 In holy trust, 
 As children must, 
 By parents sent. 
 
98 TO EVELYN. 
 
 A happy child 
 Be thou alway, 
 Loving and mild 
 To all who come, 
 Or near thy home 
 Or far away. 
 
 Dream, child, of climes 
 More bright than this, 
 And happier times 
 And holier love 
 In worlds above 
 'Mid joy and bliss. 
 
 From harm and sin 
 May God defend 
 Thee here ; and in 
 That world of rest 
 Be He thy best 
 And truest friend. 
 VARESE, 1878. 
 
TO CECIL DONALD. 
 
 JET 3. 
 
 " Parvum parva decent." HOR. 
 I. 
 
 DARK eyes, 
 Brown hair, 
 Rosy cheeks 
 So fair ! 
 First thing 
 Every day 
 Sweetly sing 
 And pray. 
 Loves toys, 
 Dolls' curls, 
 Small boys 
 And girls. 
 Cooks pies 
 And cakes. 
 Wonders at 
 Snow-flakes ! 
 Makes ball 
 Of snow 
 In hall 
 To throw. 
 
ioo TO CECIL DONALD. 
 
 II. 
 
 In fun 
 
 All day, 
 Now run 
 Now play, 
 Falls down 
 All spoiled, 
 Little gown 
 Quite soiled ! 
 Loves Sitty 
 Much very, 
 Looks witty 
 And merry. 
 
 in. 
 
 Hears trains 
 Puff-puff, 
 Thinks canes 
 All stuff! 
 Loves mama 
 Very true, 
 And papa 
 And you ! 
 In summer 
 Every day 
 Makes pies 
 Of clay. 
 
TO CECIL DONALD. 
 
 Loves flowers, 
 Plucks two 
 All hours 
 For you ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 Old hen 
 Took away 
 His bread 
 That day ! 
 Climbs ladder 
 Up high, 
 Ta ! ta ! 
 Good-bye ! 
 Evening comes 
 Tired very, 
 Fast asleep 
 And weary ! 
 So calm 
 All night 
 Sweet balm 
 Slumbers light. 
 God possessing 
 Our dear boy, 
 His be blessing 
 And joy ! 
 
 THE VICARAGE, RADCLIFFE-ON-TRENT, 
 Christ maS) 1876. 
 
CHRISTIAN WARFARE. 
 
 * ' Pugna et ego adjuvabo, 
 Vince et ego coronabo." 
 
 MARKED with the Cross and duly sworn, 
 The soldier-servant stands new born, 
 Beneath his Saviour's banner high, 
 Well pleased for Him to live or die : 
 Soldier and servant both combined, 
 To fight or serve alike resigned, 
 In warfare or in service still 
 To press the way to Zion's hill. 
 
 Young Christian soldier ! watch and pray, 
 Thy foes surround thee night and day ; 
 Grasp firm the sword and bear the shield. 
 And soon thy foes shall fly the field. 
 Thy Captain will thine arm make strong, 
 And conquest shall be thine ere long ; 
 Maintain the earnest fight of faith, 
 Fight on, thy Master conquered death ! 
 
 The Cross was given for thee to bear, 
 The Crown will soon be thine to wear ; 
 
CHRISTIAN WARFARE. 103 
 
 The Cross shall separate from sin, 
 The Crown wake Hope thy soul within ; 
 For by the Cross is ended strife, 
 And Hope beholds the Crown of life ; 
 The Cross means death to every sin : 
 By dying thus the Crown we win ! 
 
 Stand bold ! like yonder rock, whose breast 
 Breaks into spray the billow's crest ; 
 And fearlessly defend the right : 
 Against a legion thou must fight. 
 Earth's fairest flowers pass heedless by, 
 For they shall fade, and droop, and die ; 
 Encamp not here, and lay not down 
 The Cross, till Jesus gives the Crown. 
 
 The sorrowing sons of Zion bless, 
 . Ah ! speak to them in tenderness ; 
 Let this dark world behold thy light 
 Forth shining in its dreary night. 
 Let every motive be sincere, 
 Go ever onward persevere ! 
 Behold ! the prize is fair in view, 
 To Christ, and to thy vow, be true. 
 
 All fleeting are the joys of earth, 
 And vain the pride of fame or birth ; 
 And weak the glory which the tomb 
 Shall one day hide within its womb. 
 
104 CHRISTIAN WARFARE. 
 
 All earthly treasures soon decay, 
 And earthly riches flee away ; 
 But thou art heir to joys which last 
 Secure, when those of earth are past ! 
 
 The narrow path is steep and strait, 
 That leads to Zion's shining gate j 
 But that steep path, and that alone, 
 Leads to the home where Christ is gone. 
 While here, His soldier-servants fight, 
 'Gainst Satan's wiles by day and night ; 
 Their watchword still, 'mid smile or frown, 
 "Who bears the Cross shall wear the Crown." 
 
PRAYER. 
 
 BY wings of prayer strong faith ascends 
 
 To great Jehovah's throne, 
 Whence peace, in love divine, descends 
 
 On men of prayer alone. 
 
 By prayer the light of truth is shed 
 
 Into all earnest hearts ; 
 By prayer the sacred flame is fed 
 
 Which Jesus' love imparts. 
 
 By prayer God's saints have oft prevailed 
 
 To turn sin's curse away ; 
 By prayer full oft have they availed 
 
 His greatness to display. 
 
 Prayer nerves the arm to strike for God 
 
 In sin's most deadly fight ; 
 Prayer leads us where our Master trod, 
 
 To conquer in His might. 
 
 A mirror bright and clear is prayer, 
 
 In which the heavenly Dove 
 Reveals to all who worship there 
 
 The face of heavenly Love. 
 
io6 PR A YER. 
 
 Prayer is the Spirit's voice within 
 The soul redeemed and blest, 
 
 Which cries to be released from sin, 
 And find in Christ her rest. 
 
 And prayer is Virtue's sacred seal, 
 Which stamps the Saviour's own ; 
 
 To them He doth Himself reveal, 
 His covenant make known. 
 
 The bolt which shuts the door on sin 
 Is prayer, to loved ones given ; 
 
 By prayer the Saint doth life begin, 
 And with it enters heaven. 
 
 Spirit of holiness and peace ! 
 
 Inspire our hearts to pray : 
 Give Thou the words: our faith increase, 
 
 Thy grace in us display. 
 
 O Jesu ! Thou art Prayer : * by Thee 
 Our prayers all power obtain ; 
 
 Give us in prayer true liberty, 
 Nor let us pray in vain. 
 
 Like him of old, whom Thou didst love, 
 
 Be there an answer given, 
 While yet our lips in rapture move 
 
 In prayer to Thee in heaven ! 
 
 * See Psalm cix. 4. 
 
HOW TO PRAY. 
 
 BOLDLY, in the name of Jesus, 
 
 And in faith that He will ease us. 
 
 Without ceasing ; constantly. 
 
 Waiting for the answer given 
 
 At the will of God in heaven. 
 
 Earnestly ; believingly. 
 
 By the Holy Spirit offered, 
 
 Must each prayer in faith be proffered, 
 
 While we lowly bend. 
 
 Answers then, abundant, flowing 
 
 From our God ; our wishes knowing, 
 
 Shall on us descend. 
 
TEMPORAL BLESSINGS. 
 
 CAUTIOUSLY wish for them, O my heart. 
 SUBMISSIVELY ask for them, from thy God. 
 HONESTLY choose thou the better part 
 CONTENTEDLY want them : " Hear the rod." 
 HUMBLY take them when they are given. 
 PRUDENTLY manage them : in this excel. 
 LAWFULLY use them, as gifts of Heaven. 
 FREELY deal them out as well. 
 MODERATELY value them : they may flee. 
 RIGHTLY increase them. Ah ! beware. 
 SUBSERVIENTLY use them : they are not for thee. 
 EASILY part with them, free of care. 
 THEN at the last, when life is o'er, 
 " WELL DONE " shall greet thee from yonder shore ! 
 
THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 
 
 A MEDITATION. 
 
 OUR life is made of moments, which are set 
 Like diamonds fair within its golden hours. 
 Employ them well, and they shall one day yield 
 Rich interest to thee ; and at the last 
 When all the treasure of thy life is spent 
 As dying Jacob on his best loved sons 
 Did lay his hands in blessing Time shall lay 
 His hands upon thy head, and let thy soul 
 Depart to heaven, there to renew her youth. 
 Therefore I counsel thee to spend thy time 
 In gathering stores of knowledge, like the bee, 
 Which sips the sweet of every flower that blows. 
 Enrich thy soul ; then giving forth will not 
 Impoverish thee, but bring upon thy head 
 Blessings sincere from many a thankful heart. 
 To raise mankind, and lead the sinful world 
 In brighter, happier ways ; be that thine aim ! 
 Let some benighted, erring son of man, 
 Reclaimed from evil, be thy monument, 
 Whose after life of rectitude shall tell 
 Thy praises, truer than a storied urn. 
 
THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 
 
 The weak, unhappy wretch, cared for by none, 
 The lonely widow and poor orphan bless. 
 Reclaim the foolish drunkard, lead him back 
 To ways of virtue, holiness, and God. 
 The broken heart bind up, and pour the balm 
 Of peace and love into the wounded breast. 
 Nor from the poor man turn away, but give 
 As God hath prospered thee ; for what thou giv'st 
 Is all to Jesus given. And counsel give 
 To him whose soul, in doubt and wild despair, 
 Is trembling on the brink of ruin, almost lost. 
 Thy free reward how rich ! when Jesus comes 
 Thy name to bless before assembled worlds, 
 And call thee home in words of tender love 
 " Come, blessed of my Father, come ; for thou, 
 When I was hungred, gav'st me meat ; when thirst 
 Assailed me, thou didst give me drink ; when cold, 
 Thou gav'st me garments ; and when I was sick, 
 And bound in prison, thou didst come to me. 
 Come, and inherit now the kingdom which 
 I have prepared for thee ; where all the wise 
 Shall shine as brightness of the firmament ; 
 And they who many turned to righteousness, 
 As stars, for ever and for evermore ! " 
 
 The spirit of our life is sacrifice, 
 In all things to be spent for Christ alone ; 
 And as He died, so we from self must die, 
 And live to Him and to mankind the more, 
 
THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 
 
 For He is our example. Come and see 
 
 On Calvary's mount what He hath done for us. 
 
 My soul ! approach this sacred place with awe, 
 
 For here thy God in substitution vast 
 
 Is suffering for sin : here God's own Son, 
 
 Eternal and Almighty, dies for thee ! 
 
 The trembling earth and darkened sun declare 
 
 His high Divinity ! the ancient rocks 
 
 In pieces break ; the sleeping saints arise, 
 
 The Temple veil is rent. The angel hosts 
 
 Behold, with awe profound, their Maker die ! 
 
 Come near and ponder o'er His dying woes. 
 
 Reproach His heart hath broken, and His soul 
 
 Is filled with sorrow ; He is all alone. 
 
 His few disciples, weak in faith, are gone. 
 
 And pain doth pierce His hands, His head, His heart. 
 
 Death's cold damp dews steal o'er His bleeding brow, 
 
 And oh, the grief of griefs ! His Father's face 
 
 Away from Him is turned : Hark, hear His cry, 
 
 "Eli! Eli! lama Sabachthanil" 
 
 Rest here, my soul, for ever, and behold 
 
 That love displayed, whose depths are measureless ! 
 
 The memory of His death shall ever live 
 
 On earth, proclaimed by God's ambassadors : 
 
 In gratitude's o'erflowing heart it lives in heaven. 
 
 Ye choirs on high ! awake your harps and sing, 
 
 For He, from falling kept you safe, secure, 
 
 The angels of His blest, electing love. 
 
 Great God of Love ! my soul cries out for Thee : 
 
A 12 THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 
 
 O fill me with Thy love ; and let me know 
 That love displayed within me, and around. 
 
 The grandeur of the vault of heaven's blue sky, 
 
 And trembling light of sun, and moon, and stars, 
 
 The many-coloured blossoms of the trees, 
 
 And fragrance of earth's sweetest-smelling flowers, 
 
 The beauty of the cloud-encirled hills, 
 
 The song of summer bird, and rippling brook, 
 
 And rolling bass of ocean ; these are all 
 
 The tokens of a love about us spread. 
 
 All lawful passions and delights of heaven, 
 
 All ties of friendship and the true heart's love, 
 
 All kindness shown to suffering men, for which 
 
 They bless and love the memory of our name, 
 
 Do tell of love in us. But solemn thoughts, 
 
 And aspirations after purity, 
 
 And holiness, and God ; all good desires 
 
 Which upward tend, like holy altar flames, 
 
 To kiss the throne of Heaven, are yearnings towards 
 
 A love above us, and that love is God. 
 
 This truth the cross of Christ declares to all, 
 
 For there is written in bright characters, 
 
 By God's Almighty hand, " HEREIN is LOVE ! " 
 
 And whoso dwells in love in God doth dwell ; 
 
 And in Him lives and walks, for God is Love. 
 
 O holy, blessed Trinity Divine ! 
 
 Thou art my God, and I am safe in Thee. 
 
 Le.t vile calumniator's tongue abuse, 
 
THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 113 
 
 And blow your worst, ye adverse storms of life ; 
 Let me be dashed with filth of earth and hell, 
 And in temptations foul, storm-lashed, alone ; 
 Let fortune, fame, and friendship all depart, 
 And give me nought to eat but sorrow's bread, 
 No drink, but what affliction's sons may drink, 
 The tears of want and woe ; and let me lie 
 In foul disease upon a bed of death ; 
 Yet if I catch but one bright smile of Thee, 
 And pillow then my weary, dying head 
 Upon the bosom of my Saviour God, 
 No evil shall I fear for evermore ! 
 
 Gods of the nations ! bow your puny heads, 
 And fall in adoration at the cross 
 Of Him " Who was, and is, and is to come." 
 For ye, tho' worshipped by the blind, shall fall 
 And moulder into dust at His command. 
 The snow-crowned hills and gently flowing streams, 
 Deserts and fruitful plains, at His approach, 
 Shall change their form, and lovelier far become ; 
 And thou, fair Queen of Night, with all thy train, 
 That walk so calmly thro' the halls of heaven, 
 Your lights shall fade away at His approach ; 
 And thou, O Sun ! who dost renew thy youth 
 From morn to morn, e'en like the fabled bird, 
 That from her ashes springs to life again, 
 Shalt robe thyself in darkness when He comes. 
 And ye were worshipped ! so were vilest beasts, 
 
 8 
 
H4 THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 
 
 Serpents, and creeping things, and fowls of air, 
 
 All creatures of His hand, while He, the Lord 
 
 Of life, and mind, and glory, was forgot. 
 
 Ah, weak and foolish man ! How oft hast thou 
 
 To banish God from His creation striven ! 
 
 But fruitless, vain, and weak thy efforts proved, 
 
 And ever shall ; for all things witness bear 
 
 That He is God and Maker of them all. 
 
 Enrobed in beauty all the universe 
 
 Proclaims His power, His greatness, and His love. 
 
 The bud of Spring, and Summer's full-blown flower, 
 
 The ripened sheaf which bounteous Autumn yields, 
 
 The pure and spotless dress of Winter cold, 
 
 The glorious Sun, the starry gems of Night, 
 
 And lovely Moon, with one consent, sing hymns 
 
 Of praise, in never-ceasing strains, to God ! 
 
 Oh, where, amid the countless orbs on high, 
 
 In all the distant realms of boundless space, 
 
 Within the solar round, or far beyond 
 
 Its compass, where our thought can never reach, 
 
 Is His great throne ? 
 
 If with a seraph's flight 
 I haste away, and rest not, but pass o'er 
 Myriads of miles at every pulse's beat 
 For months, and years, through yielding space, and then 
 Survey from where I have attained in height, 
 Or depth, or length, or breadth, what do I see ? 
 The shining bright of blazing suns around, 
 Whose light has dawned for ages far away ; 
 
THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 115 
 
 Yet these are but the courts of God's bright home, 
 
 That temple where, enthroned in state, He dwells. 
 
 But why rove thus away ? He's ever near 
 
 To smile on me : and where God smiles is heaven ! 
 
 My Father ! may I ever live for .Thee, 
 
 May all my life be spent in serving Thee ! 
 
 Teach me the greatest, noblest end of man, 
 
 Which is to love Thee well and do Thy will ! 
 
 Awake, my soul ! to duty wake, and see 
 
 Christ's image in the suffering poor, and share 
 
 Thy crust, thy counsel, and thy love with them. 
 
 To teach man's end in life, and life's true aim, 
 
 Our Saviour tells the story of two lives, 
 
 One rich, one poor. The poor man loved his God, 
 
 The rich man loved this present world alone. 
 
 Mysterious providence ! God's children dear 
 
 Oft suffer cold, and want, and nakedness : 
 
 Whilst Belial's sons in bounty's lap are nursed. 
 
 Now Lazarus receives his evil things, 
 
 No loving friend is near to heal his sores, 
 
 Or bring him food to satisfy his want. 
 
 At last, from pain, and woe, and suffering free, 
 
 He sinks, he dies ! 
 
 Now to his home on high 
 The poor, afflicted Lazarus is borne. 
 Upon his dazzled vision opens wide 
 The portals of that city, where his God 
 His Saviour, Prophet, Priest, and King doth reign 
 In righteousness ! Its pearly gates, and walls 
 
n6 THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 
 
 Of jasper bright ; its streets of gold, and domes 
 And battlements with heavenly jewels set, 
 His eyes behold 1 and there in peace he dwells. 
 There evil days and restless nights are not ; 
 And sickness, mourning, and the silent tomb 
 Shall never come within those holy walls. 
 And there, amid the bright angelic throng, 
 With robe of spotless white, and harp of gold, 
 'Mid bowers of amaranth, and scenes of joy, 
 Unfading, holy, pure, and cloudless joy, 
 Lives holy Lazarus in peace and love. 
 
 When Dives' hour to leave the world has come, 
 
 How different are his prospects and his end ! 
 
 In wild despair he clings to earth and cries, 
 
 Long have I quaffed life's pleasure's cup unmixed, 
 
 And run the fascinating round of joy, 
 
 Amid a host of gay and jovial friends. 
 
 At morn along the sea-encircled shore, 
 
 We gathered in delight at sound of horn ; 
 
 And, while all nature smiled in loveliness, 
 
 We chased the panting hart through vale and wood. 
 
 And when the bright and glorious summer sun 
 
 Rained golden splendour on the scenes around, 
 
 And made all nature in its youth rejoice, 
 
 We too rejoiced, and hoped our joys would last. 
 
 And when the sacred hours of Evening came, 
 
 Silent and still, to woo the soul to prayer, 
 
 E'en then, to festive hall we thronged in joy, 
 
THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 117 
 
 With mirth and dance and song to spend the night. 
 
 Ah, must I now leave all those pleasing joys ? 
 
 Must all I love forsake me ? must I die ? 
 
 Oh, life and joy, miscalled ! ye cannot give 
 
 Your votary a balm, or comfort now. 
 
 Death comes ! and if he did but quench life's spark, 
 
 And let me sleep in silence, all were well. 
 
 But no ; my spirit lives ! The wreck of worlds 
 
 It will survive ; then must I dwell remote 
 
 From God, and light of heaven, and love, and joy ? 
 
 Oh that I could repent ! 'tis now too late : 
 
 My life has all been spent in vanity ; 
 
 And as I sowed, so must I reap at last. 
 
 Oh, hide me, hide me from the face of God ! 
 
 Cover me, hold me, for I die, I die ! 
 
 And now, in that mysterious spirit world, 
 
 He asks for blessings at the poor man's hand. 
 
 And is there prayer in Hades' lowest pit ? 
 
 Are outspread hands, and supplicating tones, 
 
 In earnest felt desire, there exercised ? 
 
 Prayer is the spirit's best desire for good, 
 
 For purity, for virtue, and for God. 
 
 The evil consequence, which sin has earned, 
 
 To take away, it asks not, that were selfishness, 
 
 A holy life spent in the light of God, 
 
 Is one continual prayer : its footsteps sound 
 
 Like Aaron's bells, when serving God and man. 
 
 Once did I know a lovely soul, who lived, 
 
ii8 THOUGHTS ON LIFE. 
 
 Within the light of God, a holy life ; 
 
 And I have seen her bend to pray alone 
 
 At Evening's tranquil hour in heavenly peace. 
 
 The clouds reflected Day's departing ray, 
 
 The wind, in soft ^olian sounds, swept o'er 
 
 The mountain top, and lingered in the vale. 
 
 This is the hour when holiest thoughts will come, 
 
 When Nature smiles ere yet she goes to rest, 
 
 And wild birds' notes are heard on every breeze. 
 
 She knelt in fervent prayer, with eyes upraised, 
 
 Which seemed to look beyond the skies to God ! 
 
 Her lovely brow was calm, and clear, and bright, 
 
 As if a light from heaven had rested there ! 
 
 I heard her breathe, in accents soft and sweet, 
 
 "Lord, pardon all my sins, and make me pure; 
 
 Send forth Thy light and truth to guide my way 
 
 To live, to labour, and to die to Thee ; 
 
 And when my labours here on earth are done, 
 
 Grant me to find a rest beside Thy feet." 
 
 In admiration deep I stood entranced, 
 
 And raised my voice to Heaven, and prayed for her ; 
 
 " May life be smooth, and all men kind to thee ; 
 
 And may thy path be lit by smiles of love 
 
 From loving friends, sincere and good. And may 
 
 The love of God the Father strengthen thee, 
 
 The love of God the Son o'ershadow thee, 
 
 The love of God the Spirit dwell with thee, 
 
 The love of Father, Son, and Spirit, bring 
 
 Thee safe at last, to God's bright home of love." 
 
DUTIES LEFT UNDONE. 
 
 A CONFESSION. 
 
 BY my hearth and in my household weary ones I know, 
 But I have not spoken gently to assuage their woe. 
 
 And my neighbours, near of kindred, whom a word may 
 
 cheer, 
 I have never told them truly of a Friendship dear. 
 
 Friends in distant lands all lonely wait a message kind, 
 Them I have not cheered by tidings of friends left behind. 
 
 Unrelieved the poor and weary have been sent away, 
 And the sick, in garrets dreary, have not heard me pray. 
 
 To the thirsty soul, refreshment I have seldom given, 
 And the stranger, oh how cruel ! from my path Fve 
 driven. 
 
 From the ragged, naked children I have turned away, 
 To the fold I have not taken lambs gone far astray. 
 
 Oh ! my Saviour, how unworthy am I, and have been ! 
 Dare I ask Thee, holy Jesus wash away my sin ? 
 
120 DUTIES LEFT UNDONE. 
 
 Grant repentance, give me pardon, send me power and 
 
 grace, 
 That I may in every sinner see a brother's face. 
 
 And as I relieve the sorrow which I daily see, 
 Let me do it always, only, as, my God, to Thee ! 
 
DE PROFUNDIS. 
 
 OUT of the depths of sin and woe, 
 
 And pain and grief, 
 I cry, O Jesu ! Let me know 
 
 Thy sweet relief. 
 Come swiftly to my rescue Thou, 
 
 And take me home, 
 With weary feet and burning brow 
 
 Afar I roam. 
 Away from Thee the night is dark, 
 
 The storm is high : 
 Upon the billow rides my bark ; 
 
 O be Thou nigh, 
 To guide me o'er the surging sea 
 
 Of doubt and sin ; 
 Send Thy free Spirit unto me, 
 
 To lead me in 
 The path of holiness and love 
 
 And wisdom blest, 
 Till in Thy Paradise above 
 
 Secure I rest. 
 
DOMINUS ILLUMINATIO MEA. 
 
 O LORD my Light I shine into my dark soul, 
 
 And make my thought, and words, and actions pure ; 
 
 O make me like to Thee, 
 
 And I shall sin no more. 
 
 Thou art my Light ! but oh, my sinful heart 
 Is black as tents of Kedar ; let Thy Sun 
 
 In love shine down on me, 
 
 And I shall comely seem. 
 
 And tho' Thy brightness makes my sin appear, 
 Yet in Thy light, shall I The Light behold, 
 
 Which drives the clouds away 
 
 That wrap me dark in sin. 
 
 The shades of darkness cause to flee away ; 
 And send Thy light and truth to lead me home, 
 
 And there the day of heaven 
 
 Shall break upon my soul. 
 
 In that bright land of love, where Thou alone 
 Art Light and Sun, the truth at once is seen, 
 
 Which now, thro' error's clouds, 
 
 We reach by slow degrees. 
 
DOMINUS ILLUMINATIO ME A. 123 
 
 O Father, Holy Spirit, Jesu Christ, 
 
 Take my weak hand, and lead me in Thy light, 
 
 And let me every day 
 
 Grow more and more like Thee. 
 
 And when, upon the resurrection morn, 
 I, rising from the tomb, shall see Thy face, 
 
 Then shall my face and soul 
 
 Reflect Thine image pure ! 
 
LINES WRITTEN IN A BIBLE. 
 
 To guide man home the surest way, 
 This holy book our God has given ; 
 
 Then let me read it day by day, 
 
 And walk by its clear light to heaven. 
 
 It is my Father's gift to me; 
 
 Then let me love it evermore, 
 Until His face with joy I see 
 
 On heaven's eternal sunless shore. 
 
 Should darkness round my path increase, 
 Bright gleams of light it sheds around 
 
 To guide me into paths of peace, 
 
 Where each bright spot is hallowed grounr 
 
 When sin is bold, and pain and woe 
 
 Fill my weak spirit with alarm, 
 Teach me, O God, Thy Truth to know, 
 
 And vain their power to do me harm. 
 
LINES WRITTEN IN A BIBLE. 125 
 
 Pardon to rebels God proclaims 
 
 In this His holy, steadfast word, 
 Thro' that blest Name above all names, 
 
 Whose very sound doth peace afford. 
 
 The precious Name of Jesus Christ, 
 
 The weary spirit's final rest 
 The pearl above all riches priced, 
 
 The brightest treasure of the blest. 
 
 Strength to the weak is promised here, 
 
 The dead are told of endless life. 
 Grasp all, my soul ! with faith sincere, 
 
 And soon shall end thy weary strife. 
 
 To slaves, by Satan sore opprest, 
 Freedom this word of truth declares, 
 
 And tells of peace and holy rest 
 In Jesus Christ, from all his snares. 
 
 Wisdom to make the sinner wise 
 
 Unto salvation here we find, 
 Truth to detect all Satan's lies, 
 
 And love to gladden heart and mind. 
 
 The young man doth his way make clean 
 
 In ruling it by God's own word ; 
 The old man on this staff doth lean, 
 
 The Christian warrior wields this sword. 
 
126 LINES WRITTEN IN A BIBLE. 
 
 Sublimest flights of seraph's wing 
 Are here recorded ; and a child 
 
 From hence instruction sweet may bring, 
 In simple faith and patience mild. 
 
 The exile here may read of home, 
 When o'er life's sea in trouble driven, 
 
 And see by faith his Saviour come, 
 
 To guide him thro' the storm to heaven. 
 
GOD IN EVERYTHING. 
 
 IN highest heaven God reigns alone, 
 The Holy Spirit, Father, Son, 
 The One in Three, the Three in One. 
 Archangels there behold His face, 
 Witness His power and feel His grace, 
 And countless myriads ever sing 
 Thrice Holy to their God and King. 
 
 The distant planets as they roll 
 Are guided by His wise control, 
 Yea, all creation's wide expanse 
 Is under His All-seeing glance ! 
 In yonder Sun which rules the day, 
 In Vesper's faint and trembling ray, 
 And in the Moon's pale, silvery light, 
 And in each star which decks the night, 
 Is seen alike their Maker's hand, 
 For all arose at His command. 
 
 The Dayspring from on high He brings 
 When Morning spreads her golden wings, 
 And Evening shadows slowly fall 
 When Night her veil throws over all. 
 
J28 GOD IN EVERYTHING. 
 
 We hear Him in the whispering wind, 
 His Presence bright in all things find ; 
 To man and beast He giveth life, 
 He sendeth peace, where man brings strife. 
 
 In dewy tears of summer morn, 
 
 Which glisten on the flower and thorn, 
 
 In every brooklet's winding course, 
 
 And in the river's onward force, 
 
 In the great ocean's crested wave, 
 
 And in each solemn silent cave, 
 
 In verdant vales, with bounteous hand 
 
 He showers His blessings o'er the land. 
 
 And in the thunder's solemn roll, 
 
 Which strikes with awe the trembling soul, 
 
 In ages past, in time to come, 
 
 In every birth, in every tomb, 
 
 We trace alike His hand benign, 
 
 And humbly own His power divine. 
 
 In the dread avalanche's crash, 
 And in the lightning's vivid flash, 
 And in the fragrant summer gale, 
 Which bows the rose and swells the sail, 
 And in the bleak and desert plain, 
 Where death and desolation reign. 
 In lovely scenes and silent dells, 
 Where grow the foxglove's pendent bells, 
 
GOD IN EVERYTHING. 129 
 
 And in the deep and tangled wood, 
 
 Where finds the wandering beast his food. 
 
 In harmony of song and sound, 
 
 In "lovely peace with plenty crowned." 
 
 In every mother's watchful care, 
 
 In every father's fervent prayer. 
 
 In what befalls us, good or ill, 
 
 We recognize God's holy will. 
 
 In all creation God we see, 
 
 And yet distinct from all is He. 
 
SORROWS COME FROM GOD. 
 
 LORD ! when Thy wayward children rove 
 
 Far from their heavenly Father's care ; 
 When wicked thoughts our passions move, 
 
 And we forget whose sons we are ; 
 In love, Thy gentle, chastening hand 
 
 Is laid upon us, to recall 
 Our wandering spirits back to Thee, 
 
 And set us free from sinful thrall. 
 
 As when rude tempests shake the oak, 
 
 Refreshing waters drop the while, 
 And from its trembling leaves descend 
 
 Fresh showers which make the verdure smile ; 
 So do afflictions only press 
 
 From us the good which others feel ; 
 And we shall think their weight the less, 
 
 When all in peace before Thee kneel, 
 
 And there proclaim Thy truth and Love, 
 And e'en in sorrow own Thy care ; 
 
 For joy and grief come from above, 
 
 In each Thou mak'st Thy children share. 
 
SORROWS COME FROM GOD. 131 
 
 That, like as gold is tried by fire, 
 
 And made more pure from earthly dross, 
 
 So may each loving heart aspire 
 
 To heaven, though bowed beneath a cross ! 
 
GOD'S ELECT. 
 
 CHRISTIAN ! though thy heart with sorrow 
 
 Oft is dark because of sin, 
 Though thine enemy assail thee 
 In thy secret soul within, 
 Jesus liveth, 
 And He giveth 
 To His people life and joy ; 
 Let His praise thy tongue employ. 
 
 Trust the promise true, of Jesus, 
 
 Listen to His words of life 
 " None shall pluck from Me My loved ones." 
 What He says should end all strife. 
 Trust thy Saviour, 
 Seek His favour, 
 His blood cleanses us from sin ; 
 Purify thy soul therein. 
 
 God's dear child art thou, beloved ; 
 
 Sealed, secure by love Divine, 
 In His holy changeless covenant ; 
 
 Therefore claim His promise thine. 
 
GOD'S ELECT. 133 
 
 " My Father gave them, 
 
 And I have them 
 Written on my hands and heart : 
 They and I shall never part." 
 
 Like to Jesus, pure and holy, 
 Thou art chosen so to be ! 
 Closely follow Him, and think not 
 That to break the law thou'rt free. 
 Meek and lowly, 
 Living wholly 
 
 For thy Saviour here below, 
 Onward still for ever go ! 
 
 Like the morning light thy pathway, 
 
 Shining to the perfect day, 
 Brighter growing all thy lifetime, 
 Till thou'rt called from earth away 
 Unto heaven ; 
 Where is given 
 Brighter suns in clearer skies, 
 Where the daylight never dies. 
 
 All the strength of thy salvation 
 
 Rests in Christ's unchanging love : 
 He Who found will one day bring thee 
 To His Father's house above. 
 Trust Him ever, 
 Doubt Him never ; 
 
134 GODS ELECT. 
 
 Fear betrays a wavering heart, 
 Fearful souls from Him depart. 
 
 Once by living faith united 
 
 To thy Saviour, fear no ill ; 
 All His people found Him faithful ; 
 What He once was He is still. 
 The Christian fears not, 
 God forswears not. 
 Once in Christ, in Christ for ever ; 
 Once beloved, forsaken never. 
 
RUTH'S ADDRESS TO NAOMI. 
 
 ENTREAT me not to leave thee so, 
 
 For I will surely follow thee ; 
 Whither thou goest, I will go, 
 
 And faithful always be. 
 Where'er thou dwellest I will dwell, 
 
 And from thee never seek to rove ; 
 Thy friends shall be my friends as well, 
 
 And thy God only will I love. 
 Where thou shalt die, the same green sod 
 
 Shall cover me whene'er I die ; 
 Together we will worship God, 
 
 Together in the same grave lie. 
 May God His direst wrath pour down 
 
 On me, if ever false I be ; 
 I love thee, though the world may frown,- 
 
 Death only shall part thee and me. 
 
PARTED. 
 
 IT is most true that one can tell 
 When leaving friends, who loves the most ; 
 And when the joys of home are lost, 
 
 Who bids the tenderest farewell. 
 
 Before one throne of grace we knelt, 
 To lift in peace the voice of prayer : 
 We felt secure and happy there, 
 
 Nor pangs of parting ever felt. 
 
 The scenes, the sports, the joys of yore, 
 The happy hours around the hearth, 
 When all the household joined in mirth 
 
 With thee, we shall enjoy no more. 
 
 The love that youth's glad bosom fills, 
 By some will be forgotten, soon 
 As Morning's rays are lost in Noon, 
 
 Or sunlight dies on distant hills. 
 
 But we, in memory's dearest store, 
 Thy name and all that once were thine 
 Shall treasure up, and there enshrine 
 
 For ever, and for evermore. 
 
PARTED. 137 
 
 When far from home and Friendship's care, 
 Remember us with whom, in youth, 
 Thou pouredst forth thy soul in truth 
 
 At Morning and at Evening prayer. 
 1861. 
 
LONELY WALKS. 
 
 WHEN Spring comes forth with flowerets gay to deck the 
 
 fields anew, 
 And the sun shines out at Morning's dawn to kiss the 
 
 sparkling dew, 
 
 I take my lonely walk again, amid the scenes I love, 
 Away beside the sounding stream, beneath the shady 
 
 grove ; 
 
 I love to hold communion with Dame Nature silently, 
 Her look is always loving, and she has a smile for me. 
 
 When Summer comes with verdure crowned, and per- 
 fume in the air, 
 
 And the sun spreads o'er the evening clouds his lovely 
 golden hair, 
 
 When soft winds play among the trees, in freshness sweet 
 and cool, 
 
 And lambkins sport about the lawn, and troutlets in the 
 pool ; 
 
 In fields remote I love to rove, and gather wild flowers 
 sweet, 
 
 Where the birds sing loud their Evening song, and the 
 bracken brush my feet. 
 
LONELY WALKS. 139 
 
 When Autumn comes, with ripened sheaf, to crown the 
 fruitful year, 
 
 I then go forth to see the woods in yellow leaf and sere ; 
 
 When russet robins hop and sing among the faded 
 leaves, 
 
 And sparrows chirp in quick response beneath the slop- 
 ing eaves ; 
 
 When the setting sun sheds glory bright along the western 
 sky, 
 
 And the harvest moon, in golden light, walks forth in 
 peace on high. 
 
 When Winter, glorious Winter, comes, the crowning 
 
 time of all, 
 In snowy garments and dark clouds, black as a funeral 
 
 pall, 
 Forth 'mid the storm, and tempest's rush, and torrent's 
 
 deafening roar, 
 I love to roam, in cold pure air, far through the forests 
 
 hoar ; 
 At night, amid the leafless wood, my lonely path I 
 
 trace, 
 With guides unerring, silver stars, in heaven's dark blue 
 
 face. 
 
 Thus all the year has charms for me, and every season 
 
 brings 
 A pleasure and a glory bright upon its golden wings. 
 
140 LONELY WALKS. 
 
 I always feel a thrill of joy amid such scenes to roam, 
 Away beside far sounding streams and in the groves near 
 
 home. 
 Oh ! may my life glide on in peace, amidst the scenes I 
 
 love, 
 Until I reach my blessed home, the heavenly land above. 
 
TO MY MOTHER. 
 
 " du, der du nock einen Vater oder eine Mutter hast, danke Gott 
 an dem Tage dafiir, wo deine Seele voll Freudenthrdnen ist und einer 
 Brust bedarf, an der sie sie vergiessen kann" 
 
 JEAN PAUL; " Quintus Fixldn." 
 
 GENTLE one ! I love thee dearer 
 
 Than all others here on earth ; 
 To me than all the world thou'rt nearer, 
 
 Both by ties of love and birth. 
 
 O'er my childhood's fitful slumber 
 
 Thou didst watch with anxious thought ; 
 
 And with sweet affection number 
 Daily comforts, hourly wrought. 
 
 Thy maternal kindness blessed me, 
 Ere I knew from whom it came, 
 
 And with arms of love caressed me, 
 Till I felt its holy flame. 
 
 At thy feet I knelt in childhood, 
 
 To repeat my Evening prayer ; 
 From the meadow and the wildwood, 
 
 My young thoughts oft wandered there. 
 
142 TO MY MOTHER. 
 
 In the hour of sore temptation 
 Thine example strengthened me ; 
 
 Under God, my soul's salvation, 
 And all joy I owe to thee. 
 
 Thou art old, and many a letter 
 
 Care has written on thy brow ; 
 
 But I love thee all the better, 
 
 Never loved thee more than now. 
 1865. 
 
IN THE COUNTRY. 
 
 SUMMER. 
 
 THE bright rosy morning 
 
 Is breaking now, 
 Its light is adorning 
 
 The heaven's calm brow. 
 Sparkles the fountain 
 
 In crystal showers, 
 Vale, hill, and mountain, 
 
 Are covered with flowers. 
 The red rose blowing, 
 
 And wild flowers blue 
 Smile on skies glowing 
 
 Thro' silver dew. 
 The blithe lark is singing, 
 
 To welcome the day ; 
 From earth upspringing 
 
 He soars away ! 
 Beautiful shadows 
 
 Around are seen 
 
144 /AT THE COUNTRY. 
 
 On forests and meadows 
 
 In golden sheen. 
 
 The white swan is gliding 
 
 In pride o'er the lake ; 
 
 The pheasant is hiding 
 
 In meadow and brake. 
 
 ii. 
 
 Walks the Eve slowly 
 
 In golden stole ; 
 Calm thoughts and holy, 
 
 Come to my soul ! 
 The church bells are ringing 
 
 Both loud and long ; 
 The milk-maid is singing 
 
 Her merry sweet song. 
 The landscape sleepeth 
 
 'Neath moonbeams pale ; 
 The shepherd boy keepeth 
 
 His watch in the vale. 
 Fair Venus in heaven, 
 
 With vestal light, 
 For mortals is given 
 
 To lighten the night. 
 The bright Moon smileth 
 
 O'er mountain and vale, 
 And the lone hours beguileth 
 
 The sweet nightingale ! 
 
IN THE COUNTRY. 145 
 
 WINTER. 
 I. 
 
 Slowly and wearily 
 
 Breaks the grey morn, 
 Silently, drearily, 
 
 Cold and forlorn. 
 Bare is the forest, 
 
 The flowers are dead ; 
 Now sorrows the sorest 
 
 Break over our head. 
 Dear friends are sleeping 
 
 Beneath the cold sod, 
 Whose spirits are keeping 
 
 The Sabbath of God ! 
 Them Christ shall awaken 
 
 From slumber again, 
 And then shall be shaken 
 
 Death's heavy chain. 
 For love, joy, and gladness 
 
 Shall fill every heart, 
 And care, woe, and sadness 
 
 For ever depart. 
 Cold winter shall scatter 
 
 His hoar frost no more, 
 Nor chain the bright water 
 
 In ice to the shore, 
 The summer of heaven 
 
 Shall break in delight, 
 
 10 
 
146 IN THE COUNTRY. 
 
 When to them is given 
 
 The day without night. 
 
 n. 
 
 The day declineth, 
 
 Fast falls the night ; 
 Now the moon shineth 
 
 So calm and bright ! 
 The snow descendeth 
 
 From heaven above ; 
 The household blendeth 
 
 In joy and love. 
 All are surrounding 
 
 The yule log bright, 
 And young hearts are bounding 
 
 With holy delight ! 
 Now they read over 
 
 The story of peace, 
 And around them still hover 
 
 Bright spirits of bliss. 
 It seems as if angels 
 
 Were singing again 
 Their blessed evangels 
 
 Of good will to men ! 
 May God's Spring in gladness, 
 
 Its bright glories shed 
 O'er us, when all sadness 
 
 For ever is fled ! 
 1868. 
 
A SONG OF THE MOON. 
 
 WHEN the sun to his rest, in the golden west 
 
 In liquid light sinks away, 
 I come forth to shine, with light half divine, 
 
 Far lovelier than the Day. 
 Night's solemn dread throne is mine alone ; 
 
 The stars that burn around 
 Are all my bright train ; supremely I reign 
 
 In the stillness of heaven profound ! 
 
 I smile on the walls of Abbeys and Halls 
 
 Like a maid on her gray-haired sire ; 
 And I walk on the sea right pleasantly, 
 
 In a track of silvery fire. 
 The poet looks from his ponderous books, 
 
 Deep thought on his brow I see ; 
 Nor love's first kiss deems he half such bliss 
 
 As a glance at night from me. 
 
 I bless with my light, in the solemn midnight, 
 
 The roving son of the sea ; 
 And he loves his home on the ocean's white foam, 
 
 Whose waves are ruled by me ! 
 
148 A SONG OF THE MOON. 
 
 O'er childhood's sleep lone vigils I keep, 
 
 And I watch its heaving breast ; 
 And smile when I see in security 
 
 Each bird in its downy nest. 
 
 Yon maiden fair with the golden hair, 
 
 Or she of the ebon tress, 
 Looks fairer far than the evening star 
 
 In my rays of loveliness ! 
 When she worships alone before the Lord's throne, 
 
 I smile on her brow so fair ; 
 And I look from above with a glance of love, 
 
 As she breathes her soul in prayer. 
 
 In the deep forest shade and in silent glade, 
 
 My light doth a network make ; 
 When I shine through the trees, and when Night's 
 lone breeze 
 
 Makes the branches and leaflets shake. 
 The sounding stream loves my silvery beam ; 
 
 Its changing smile I see ; 
 And the nightingale sings with folded wings, 
 
 When his eye is fixed on me. 
 
 With the clouds I fight in my chariot of light, 
 
 And when they conceal my face, 
 My silvery hair is flowing fair 
 
 Throughout all the depths of space. 
 
 
A SONG OF THE MOON. 149 
 
 The snow-capped hill and the sweet warbling rill 
 
 Sparkle beneath my ray ; 
 Into man's troubled breast I shed sweet rest, 
 
 After the cares of day. 
 
 On the battle plain I behold the slain 
 
 Peaceful in death laid down. 
 O'er friend and o'er foe my radiance I throw, 
 
 And behold no angry frown. 
 Their comrades raise the song of due praise 
 
 And chant the solemn psalm, 
 While I from the throne of Night look down 
 
 On brows subdued and calm. 
 
 Thus while men sleep my watch I keep, 
 
 Like a vigil-keeping nun ; 
 And I patiently wait till the Day's bright gate 
 
 Is opened before the sun. 
 And when Morning awakes, and sunlight breaks, 
 
 In floods of golden light, 
 I fade slowly away before the Day, 
 
 Having lightened, for men, the night 
 
 To man, in each land, and on every strand, 
 
 Of ancient and modern time, 
 Be he savage in heart, or cultured in art, 
 
 Or in sunny or dreary clime, 
 
150 A SONG OF THE MOON. 
 
 Or in Greece or in Rome, or abroad or at home, 
 
 I am ever a welcome guest, 
 And I rain down light from my throne every night, 
 
 And in shedding forth blessing am blest. 
 
AN HOUR AGO. 
 
 " Sed fugit interea, fugit irreparabile tempus 
 Singula dum capti circumvectamur amore." 
 
 VIRG. 
 
 AN hour ago ! 
 
 The golden light of Evening stole 
 
 Around the mountain's hoary brow ; 
 
 A thrill of joy made glad my soul, 
 
 But all is past and over now. 
 
 The twilight of the summer Even 
 
 Has vanished from the calm, blue heaven ; 
 
 And moonlit clouds, 
 
 Like ghosts in shrouds, 
 Float o'er the ether to and fro, 
 Where sunbeams shone an hour ago. 
 
 An hour ago !' 
 
 The year's last rose I gave to one 
 
 As dear as sister unto me ; 
 
 But it is faded she is gone 
 
 Her face I ne'er on earth shall see. 
 
 For Fate's dividing chariot wheels 
 
 Between us roll. How fast he steals ! 
 
152 AN HOUR AGO. 
 
 Year follows year, 
 
 Until the sere 
 
 And yellow leaf of life appear ! 
 Though youth has passed, we think it near. 
 
 An hour ago ! 
 
 The calm sweet eyes of her we loved 
 
 Looked on us from their orbs of light, 
 
 But glory o'er their vision moved, 
 
 And they are closed in Death's dark night. 
 
 Now she beholds the sunless land, 
 
 Bright in its radiance she doth stand, 
 
 At Jesu's feet 
 
 Is her retreat, 
 
 Secure from sin and pain and woe 
 She, whom we loved an hour ago ! 
 
 An hour ago ! 
 
 The hasty word in anger spoken, 
 
 Doth rankle now in weary hearts, 
 
 The Lute's sweet sounding chords are broken, 
 
 The joy from out the life departs ! 
 
 The evil deed so lately done 
 
 Doth leave the sufferer alone ; 
 
 Life's joy is dead, 
 
 And peace is fled, 
 
 Hope faintly tells the day will come, 
 When sin shall not defile our home. 
 
AN HOUR AGO. 153 
 
 An hour ago ! 
 
 Tis gone, and never will return. 
 
 Its pleasures, too, with it are past ; 
 
 Its sun in time no more shall burn, 
 
 For nought on earth can always last, 
 
 Here all things feel the hand of death 
 
 Like flowers they fade. Time's withering breath 
 
 Destroys their sweets, 
 
 And each heart beats 
 Its requiem low of sorrow and woe, 
 For joys which died an hour ago. 
 
HOR^E POETICS. 
 
 "Visions of Childhood ! Stay, oh, stay ! 
 Ye were so sweet and wild." 
 
 LONGFELLOW. 
 
 POETICAL HOURS ! when dreams of youth 
 And fancy, youngest born, 
 
 So full of love and joy and truth 
 Possessed me Eve and Morn. 
 
 O brightest hours that earth has given 
 
 The sweetest and the best ! 
 A foretaste of the days of heaven 
 
 When every hour is blest 
 
 The savour of your sweetness, still 
 
 Doth linger round me yet, 
 Nor memory, nor thought, nor will 
 
 Your pleasures can forget. 
 
 No tongue can tell, no hand can write 
 
 No thought can realize 
 The memories which you invite 
 
 Before my raptured eyes. 
 
HOR& POETICS. 155 
 
 Sweet musings of my leisure hours 
 
 When weary work was o'er, 
 And I, 'mid summer birds and flowers, 
 
 Did learn a hidden lore ! 
 
 And saw bright visions of the past, 
 
 And dreamt of joys to come, 
 And sang of friendship which will last 
 
 When all on earth is dumb. 
 
 Now called by care from you to part, 
 
 I seek you oft in vain, 
 But visions, born of you, my heart 
 
 With joy revive again. 
 1879. 
 
FAREWELL. 
 
 FARE-THEE-WELL ! May Jesus guard thee 
 Wheresoever thy footsteps tread. 
 
 May the Lord of life reward thee, 
 Showering blessings on thy head. 
 
 May guardian angels with thee dwell 
 
 Again, and yet again, farewell ! 
 
 Fare-thee-well ! May God's strong arm 
 Steer thy bark o'er life's rough sea. 
 
 May He shield thy soul from harm, 
 Bless, direct, and succour thee. 
 
 May His blest Spirit with thee dwell 
 
 Again, and yet again, farewell ! 
 
POEMS ON SACRED SEASONS. 
 
" GLORIA IN ALTISSIMIS DEO, 
 ET IN TERRA PAX HOMINIBUS BON^E VOLUNTATIS." 
 
 VULGATE. 
 
CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 " Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Isa. ix. 6. 
 I. 
 
 HAIL to Thee, most holy 
 
 Child, from heaven above, 
 Born of mother lowly, 
 
 All the earth to move 
 With gratitude divine, and win them by Thy love ! 
 
 Thou, Thy Father leaving, 
 
 Conrst a child to be, 
 Holy friendship weaving 
 
 'Twixt our souls and Thee, 
 That we may come at last our Father's face to see. 
 
 Thou, from holy angels 
 
 Com'st on earth to dwell ; 
 At Thy birth evangels 
 
 Those bright spirits tell, 
 Which cheer the heart of man, whom sorrow sore befell. 
 
 Could I tell the treasures 
 Thou hast come to bring, 
 
160 CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 What delightful measures 
 
 From my harp would ring ; 
 Then all the world should list, enraptured, while I sing ! 
 
 From the throne of heaven 
 
 Thou to earth hast come 
 On this Christmas even, 
 
 Welcome to our home ! 
 Be Thou our Friend and Guide wherever we may roam. 
 
 Child from heaven, we bless Thee, 
 
 And worship, and adore. 
 Love would fain caress Thee, 
 And keep Thee evermore, 
 To cheer the weary souls, the wounded hearts and sore. 
 
 Grief comes now, and sorrow, 
 
 Anguish, woe, and pain, 
 Peace from Thee to borrow, 
 
 Rest and joy to gain. 
 Give us Thy peace, O Christ, our fainting souls sustain. 
 
 How shall we receive Thee, 
 
 Blessed, Holy Child ? 
 Not with sins which grieve Thee, 
 
 But in fervour mild 
 Enshrine Thee in our hearts, Thou Holy, Undefiled ! 
 
CHRISTMAS DAY. 161 
 
 He, who Thee receiveth, 
 
 Life and light shall have ; 
 He, who Thee believeth, 
 
 Triumphs o'er the grave ; 
 For Thou art Lord of Life, Almighty Thou, to save. 
 
 Humbly, to Thy manger, 
 
 Lord of life, I come ; 
 Rescue me from danger, 
 
 Lead me to my home ; 
 In pleasant, peaceful paths, may I henceforward roam 
 
 ii. 
 
 God's true Light is shining 
 
 In yon lonely cave : 
 Come ye, in sorrow pining, 
 
 And see beyond the grave ; 
 For He has come on earth the faithful soul to save. 
 
 Come, all men, and sing ye 
 
 Praise to God for this ; 
 Gifts, in rapture, bring ye, 
 
 For such light and bliss : 
 No light revealed before can once compare with this. 
 
 Light of true Salvation 
 Shineth clear and bright, 
 
 ii 
 
1 62 CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 For every clime and nation, 
 
 On this blessed night. 
 Who will not come with joy to see so fair a sight? 
 
 Sympathy He bringeth 
 From His Father's throne : 
 
 See ! an angel wingeth 
 The deep blue alone, 
 To tell that Jesus comes for sinners to atone. 
 
 Our redemption's story 
 Hosts of angels sing : 
 " In the highest, glory 
 
 To our heavenly King. 
 Peace and goodwill to man this holy child doth bring." 
 
 With the angels singing, 
 
 Praise we God on high, 
 For this child is bringing 
 
 His salvation nigh ; 
 For He in answer comes to man's distressful cry. 
 
 Concord, peace, and union, 
 
 Justice, mercy, love, 
 Righteousness, communion, 
 
 Earth and heaven above 
 Are by His life and death in harmony inwove. 
 
CHRISTMAS DAY. 163 
 
 Father ! Thou bestowest 
 
 Such a gift to me ; 
 What I give Thou knowest 
 
 In return to Thee : 
 O let my ransomed life, a living service be ! Amen. 
 
THE NEW YEAR. 
 
 THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. 
 
 AN ODE. 
 * Even so we also should walk in newness of life." ROM. vi. 4. 
 
 I. 
 
 FAST the years of life are speeding, 
 
 Silently the moments fall ! 
 Time is by these age-marks pleading, 
 Hear him, praying, interceding, 
 On this holy natal morn, 
 When another year is born, 
 
 Listen to his urgent call. 
 
 II. 
 
 Around the golden sun 
 My course I run 
 
 Unwearied ; night and day. 
 My youth revives me now, 
 The crown is on my brow, 
 
 The past is far a Way. 
 
THE NEW YEAR. 165 
 
 And, as I travel on for ever, 
 Nearest, dearest, ties I sever, 
 I shall see bright things decay ! 
 
 Unmoved alike by smile or tear, 
 
 Nor praise, nor blame I pause to hear. 
 O man ! thy years are fast decreasing, 
 
 Age approaches sure tho' slow, 
 The number of thy days increasing 
 Tells thee, soon will come the end. 
 Say whither doth thy journey tend ? 
 
 And whither wilt thou go ? 
 
 Live true in me ; 
 
 For soon thou'lt reach eternity. 
 
 in. 
 
 My heart replies : Year newly born ! 
 On this thy natal morn, 
 
 I to God myself do give. 
 Bear me gently in thine arm, 
 Guard my soul from every harm, 
 Shield me from each wicked charm, 
 
 Let me in God's favour live ! 
 Guide me safely o'er the mountains, 
 Lead me by green meads and fountains, 
 
 And, when thy last hours draw near, 
 Lay me at the feet 
 With commendation meet, 
 
 Of the coming year ! 
 
1 66 THE NEW YEAR. 
 
 Or, should my Heavenly Father now, 
 So will, that, e'er thy course be run, 
 With languid eye and burning brow 
 
 I should behold my setting sun, 
 And lay me down to rest 
 Within our ancient mother's breast, 
 I charge thee, let me go in peace, 
 And grant my soul a calm release. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Ah ! while the dead are sleeping 
 And friends are weeping, 
 
 Thou wilt, each Even and Morn, 
 In all thy beauty, pass them by, 
 While spring breathes many a gentle sigh, 
 And summer shines in glory down 
 On earth's bright, regal crown, 
 
 And autumn smiles on fruit and corn. 
 Beneath the fading stars 
 
 Shalt thou display thy crest, 
 When day, in shadowy beauty born, 
 
 Shineth from east to west. 
 But soon 'neath sunset's molten bars, 
 
 Shalt thou, in death, sink down to rest, 
 Or ere the primrose moon has filled her change- 
 ful horn. 
 
THE NEW YEAR. 167 
 
 V. 
 
 But I, in death shall not remain, 
 
 I shall awake once more, 
 A voice shall call me forth again, 
 
 To dwell upon the sunless shore, 
 Where endless day is given, 
 Beyond the flight of years, in heaven ! 
 Yonder in the calm seclusion 
 
 Of my Father's home above, 
 Free from sin and all illusion, 
 
 I shall dwell in light and love, 
 And everlasting day, 
 When Time's brief years have passed away. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Press on, my soul, 
 
 To that bright goal, 
 
 Lend wings, O Faith, to fly ! 
 
 For there alone is bliss. 
 When Jesus calls me, why should I 
 
 Dwell in a world like this ? 
 Angels bright, the message bear, 
 
 That I am coming home ; 
 That this New Year, beneath your care, 
 
 I heavenward roam ! 
 
GOOD FRIDAY. 
 
 " And they crucified Him." S. MATT, xxvii. 35. 
 
 OH ! for a harp of heavenly sound, 
 To sing the cross with awe profound : 
 Oh ! for a pencil dipped in love, 
 To paint the Son of God above, 
 
 On the accursed tree. 
 If mortal, who by Him was made, 
 Spirit Divine, may ask Thine aid 
 To sweep, with weakest hand, the lyre, 
 Fill me with Thy celestial fire, 
 
 Instruct and succour me : 
 To me Thy sacred unction bring, 
 And give me strength and grace to sing 
 
 Of Christ on Calvary ! 
 
 Calmly " the Man of sorrows " now 
 With limbs transpierced and bleeding brow, 
 The sin of all mankind doth bear, 
 For none can in His suffering share, 
 
 He bears it all alone. 
 The rulers, priests, and passers by, 
 Revile Him, and with taunting cry 
 
GOOD FRIDAY. 169 
 
 His claims they ask Him there to prove, 
 " Show us a token of God's love, 
 
 And from the cross come down." 
 For them His heart in silence bleeds, 
 For them He prays and intercedes, 
 
 Alone, yet not alone. 
 
 His arms outspread to draw men home, 
 Where'er in sinful paths they roam, 
 And whoso looks upon Him lives, 
 His cross the throne whence life He gives, 
 
 And power to mount the skies. 
 And, as to Israel's sleeping seer, 
 The way to heaven in vision clear, 
 Was by the Lord made known at night, 
 So we in vision clear and bright 
 
 Behold where Jesus dies ; 
 And know thro' Him our sins forgiven, 
 And by His cross we mount to heaven, 
 
 With Him we die and rise ! 
 
 To save mankind His purpose strong, 
 Nor taunt, nor mockery, nor wrong, 
 Can change His love for sinful man, 
 Whom He has loved ere time began, 
 And came from heaven to save. 
 And by His Spirit to draw nigh, 
 And by obedience raise on high 
 
170 GOOD FRIDAY. 
 
 To God's right hand in love and grace, 
 Secure within His holy place : 
 
 Triumphant o'er the grave ! 
 And all who follow Him shall taste 
 His cross, His death, His life, at last 
 
 The faithful, true, and brave ! 
 
 Around His cross, hell's dread array, 
 Are gathered there, perchance that they 
 May find His faith by suffering shaken, 
 For see ! as if by God forsaken, 
 
 He agonizes there. 
 But in that heart, by anguish riven, 
 They cannot find mistrust of Heaven \ 
 And though His soul is filled with grief, 
 He hears the poor repentant thief, 
 
 And answers his brief prayer, 
 In words as brief : " To-day with me 
 In Paradise, from sin set free, 
 
 Shalt thou my kingdom share." 
 
 Truth, peace, and life, and love, and grace, 
 Are beaming in the Saviour's face. 
 Tho' dying, these He gives to all 
 Who on Him in repentance call, 
 
 He offers them to thee ! 
 From darkness, doubt, and woe, and sin, 
 And foes without, and guilt within, 
 
GOOD FRIDAY. r. i 
 
 And wily lusts, and pain, and woe, 
 
 And fear, which would His cross forego, 
 
 From all, He setteth free. 
 O Lord, Thy love to me reveal, 
 And let me all Thy goodness feel, 
 
 And Thy salvation see. 
 
 And there by nail and spear point torn, 
 Enduring man's malignant scorn, 
 E'en for His murderers He prays : 
 " Father, forgive them," Jesus says, 
 
 And dies to set them free. 
 Hark ! how He cries in agony 
 "Mv GOD ! MY GOD ! WHY LEAV'ST THOU ME?"' 
 As heartless sinners hear His voice, 
 They in His pain and death rejoice, 
 
 In wicked mockery. 
 Oh, hear His loudest, latest cry 
 " Tis finished ! " now behold Him die, 
 
 And man from sin is free. 
 
 Shake to thy centre, Earth ; and fall, 
 For on that cross the Lord of all 
 The universe is hanging now, 
 With death's cold sweat upon His brow ; 
 
 Who, by His power has taken 
 The light from out the sun at noon, 
 And robed the world in midnight gloom. 
 
GOOD FRIDAY. 
 
 The temple veil is rent in twain; 
 The sleeping dead are raised again, 
 
 And thou, O Earth, art shaken. 
 But by His will thou art sustained 
 To hold Him up, thus pierced and pained, 
 
 By God and man forsaken. 
 
 Oh, dread and awful mystery, 
 That One of the Eternal Three 
 Should suffer thus, that man might live, 
 And everlasting life receive, 
 
 And dwell in heaven above. 
 Man lost by sin his high estate, 
 And for him Christ must compensate. 
 The life of one as pure as Heaven 
 A sacrifice must now be given : 
 
 God gave His holy dove ; 
 His best beloved, His only Son, 
 For man's transgressions to atone. 
 
 Oh, wondrous, boundless love ! 
 
 Help me, O Lord, my cross to bear, 
 Whate'er it be, or woe, or care, 
 And learn of Thee to pray for those 
 Who multiply my griefs and woes, 
 
 O'ercome my stubborn will ! 
 Newness of life to me impart, 
 Change and renew my sinful heart, 
 
GOOD FRIDAY. 173 
 
 Help me to crucify the flesh, 
 And every day, by deeds afresh, 
 
 Thy law in me fulfil, 
 Until I reach my home at last, 
 All toil, and sin, and conflict past, 
 
 On Zion's holy hill. 
 
 The cross, whereon the Saviour dies, 
 Is higher far than yonder skies, 
 For heaven thro' it enjoys sweet peace ; 
 Its depth, the sinner to release, 
 
 Than deepest hell is lower. 
 Its breadth the fallen sons of men 
 Doth compass ; and to heaven again 
 It brings the weary wanderer home, 
 Ne'er from his Father's house to roam, - 
 
 Thence to go out no more. 
 Its length and saving power shall be 
 As long as vast eternity. 
 
 Bend low, my soul ! Adore ! 
 
 Eternal life and strength, O Lord, 
 Let Thy dear cross to me afford ; 
 Peace and refreshment let it bring 
 To me, and all men, while I sing 
 The sweetness of Thy Name ! 
 From sinful bonds and self release us, 
 Almighty God, All-gracious Jesus ! 
 
174 GOOD FRIDAY. 
 
 And let me ever here abide 
 
 Beneath Thy cross whence flows the tide 
 
 Which covers all my shame, 
 And cleanses me from sin and guilt ; 
 For me, for all, Thy blood was spilt ; 
 
 This truth, my harp ! proclaim. 
 
 Lord, let the stream from Jesus' side 
 Flow down on me, and like the tide 
 Which bears all filth in swift career 
 Within the deep to disappear, 
 
 Bear all my sins away. 
 Oh, let that stream so cleanse my soul, 
 That when I reach life's distant goal, 
 I may on angel wings be borne 
 To wait the resurrection morn, 
 
 In realms of cloudless day ; 
 And may that crimson tide ne'er stand, 
 Till every clime and every land 
 
 To Christ their homage pay. 
 
 Hark ! how the heavens with anthems ring, 
 
 The saints redeemed in glory sing : 
 
 " Unto Christ be ever given, 
 
 All the crowns of earth and heaven ; 
 
 All praise to Him afford. 
 Thou, Lord, art worthy to receive 
 Riches and power from all who live, 
 
GOOD FRIDAY. 175 
 
 Wisdom and strength, and honour high, 
 Glory and bliss eternally 
 
 To Thee, O Christ, be poured. 
 For Thou at first hast given us breath ; 
 When lost, Thou hast redeemed from death. 
 
 Accept our praise, O Lord ! " 
 
EASTER DAY. 
 
 " The Lord is risen indeed.' S. LUKE xxiv. 34. 
 MORNING. 
 
 DAY most holy, 
 
 With the lowly 
 
 Findest thou a welcome sweet ! 
 Darkness fleeth far before thee, 
 Light, in glory, broodeth o'er thee : 
 Peace and joy thy coming greet. 
 
 In commotion 
 
 Earth and ocean 
 Hymn thy praises to the sky ! 
 Sunlight, thro' the forest glancing, 
 Wakeneth beauties soul entrancing ; 
 Fair around and bright on high. 
 
 Day most holy 
 
 For the lowly 
 
 Bringest thou glad tidings here ! 
 On thy first, bright, glorious morning 
 Light, God's footsteps fair, adorning, 
 Shone upon our darkened sphere. 
 
EASTER DAY. 177 
 
 " Christ is risen ! " 
 
 Death's dark prison 
 He hath burst, for all His saints, 
 On this day by holy Angel, 
 Published was this glad Evangel, 
 Hush, O mourner ! thy complaints. 
 
 And from heaven 
 
 Soon was given, 
 Like a rushing, mighty wind, 
 God's Eternal, Holy Spirit, 
 Making man new life inherit. 
 Him, may we, on Sabbaths, find ! 
 
 Father holy ! 
 
 Saviour lowly ! 
 Spirit blessed ! raise us high 
 From the death where Thou hast found us, 
 And with glory bright, surround us, 
 When to self and sin we die ! 
 
 NOON. 
 i. 
 
 O Father, Holy Spirit, Blessed Saviour ! 
 Help us to worship in Thy house to-day, 
 Regard us all with Thy most tender favour, 
 While we, in concert, at Thy footstool pray. 
 
 12 
 
178 EASTER DAY. 
 
 And when we sing sweet hymns of adoration, 
 Or pray, bowed lowly at Thy sacred feet, 
 Or hear Thy heralds tell of Restoration 
 To Thee, O Lord our God, as is most meet, 
 
 Devotion, sacred, tender, rapt and holy, 
 
 Which fills the minds of those whose hearts are pure ; 
 
 O God of grace, Who lovest dear the lowly, 
 
 Pour down upon us and our hearts assure. 
 
 Now while we worship Thee, Thy sunbeam's glory 
 Fills all Thy house with golden rays of light, 
 Which looks like that bright land of sacred story, 
 Where nevermore shall come the shades of night. 
 
 O happy day ! O blessed foretaste given 
 Of that bright home which all true souls awaits : 
 Which some enjoy e'en now with Thee in heaven, 
 While we adore Thee at the outer gates. 
 
 ii. 
 
 Low at the Holy Table humbly kneeling ; 
 The solemn prayer of Consecration said, 
 A sacred awe my heart the meanwhile feeling, - 
 I took and ate in love the broken bread. 
 
EASTER DAY. 179 
 
 And then, the tender words of prayer repeating, 
 My trembling hands the sacred chalice held, 
 When lo ! a wondrous sight my vision greeting, 
 All slavish fear from out my heart expelled ! 
 
 The summer sun shone down in glory golden, 
 And through the windows brightly shed his rays, 
 Lighting in one that pictured story olden, 
 Which ever calls for man's devoutest praise. 
 
 The Saviour dying, bruised and pained and wounded, 
 In calm and holy majesty divine ; 
 His brow in mockery with thorns surrounded, 
 Was all reflected in the trembling wine ! 
 
 With awe mine eyes beheld that holy vision, 
 Which evermore in memory I shall trace, 
 Until in rapture sweet, in home Elysian, 
 I see the glory of that pictured face ! 
 
 EVENING. 
 
 As evening gently falleth 
 O'er God's bright, holy day, 
 
 And while His Mercy calleth, 
 Come to His house and pray. 
 
 Nature in peace rejoices 
 Or ere comes on the Night, 
 
180 EASTER DAY. 
 
 And all her myriad voices 
 To call us forth unite ! 
 
 Come ere the stars are shining 
 
 In Night's dark vault above ; 
 Come when the Day is declining, 
 
 To praise Redeeming love. 
 Come when the music calleth 
 
 Of the church bells' silvery sound ; 
 Come when the Moon's light falleth, 
 
 In beams from heaven, around ! 
 
 Come when the soul with sweetness 
 
 Is gentle, holy, calm ! 
 Come in the Spirit's meetness, 
 
 To taste of heavenly balm. 
 And with the faithful kneeling, 
 
 Join in the common prayer, 
 Speak all thy heart's true feeling, 
 
 For ONE who hears, is there ! 
 
 Pray for the weary-hearted, 
 
 The halt, the maimed, the blind, 
 Who weep o'er joys departed, 
 
 Or men who are unkind. 
 Pray for the sick who languish 
 
 In want, and pain, and woe, 
 Whose hearts are wrung with anguish 
 
 Who grief and sorrow know ! 
 
EASTER DAY. 181 
 
 Pray for the souls benighted, 
 
 And friends who far may roam ; 
 Pray for the dear ones lighted 
 
 By love's pure light, at home ! 
 And let thy thanks to heaven 
 
 Ascend like incense sweet, 
 For blessings richly given 
 
 Return sweet praises meet. 
 
ASCENSION DAY. 
 
 " Thou hast ascended on high." PSALM Ixviii. 18. 
 
 SEE the Saviour in His glory mounting to the gates of 
 
 heaven, 
 See the clouds around Him folding, and the skies before 
 
 Him riven. 
 Hark ! "the sons of God " are singing, Alleluia, Praise 
 
 the Lord ! 
 All His saints swell loud the chorus, with a sweet and 
 
 glad accord. 
 
 Glory, praise, and might, and honour, unto Jesus Christ 
 
 be given, 
 Who has conquered death, and opened unto all the gates 
 
 of heaven. 
 Now He enters as the Firstfruits, where His people soon 
 
 shall be, 
 When they too, like Him, have conquered, thro' Him 
 
 gained the victory. 
 
ASCENSION DAY. 183 
 
 Saviour ! reigning now in glory, plead for us that we 
 
 may live ; 
 Send to us Thy quickening Spirit, grace for grace let us 
 
 receive, 
 That reflecting back Thine image, as we daily grow like 
 
 Thee, 
 All the world may join Thy standard, and Thy power 
 
 and glory see ! 
 
PENTECOST. 
 
 ' Receive ye the Holy Ghost." S. JOHN xx. 22. 
 
 BLESSED Spirit, Holy Ghost, 
 Breathe on us at Pentecost ! 
 Fill us with Thy light and love, 
 And all graces from above. 
 Make us pure in thought and word. 
 Make us meet to serve the Lord, 
 That our life may ever be 
 One sweet song of praise to Thee ! 
 
 We are dark, be Thou our light, 
 We are weak, be Thou our might, 
 We are sinful, make us pure, 
 We are wavering, us assure, 
 We are dead, O give us life, 
 By Thy peace assuage our strife, 
 That in love and joy we may 
 Live to Thee from day to day. 
 
 Speak thro 7 us, O Spirit blest, 
 Lead us to Thy promised rest, 
 
PENTECOST. 185 
 
 Let the light of love divine 
 
 Thro' our lives in beauty shine. 
 
 May we go from strength to strength, 
 
 Till we reach our home at length, 
 
 There the praises ever sing 
 
 Of our Saviour, God, and King ! 
 
 Thine the light, to show the way, 
 Thine the strength for every day, 
 Thine the peace which Christ imparts, 
 Thine the joy for earnest hearts. 
 Thine the graces freely given 
 Unto all who thirst for heaven ! 
 On us shower them, Lord, that we 
 May live only, all, for Thee ! 
 
TRINITY SUNDAY. 
 
 "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, 
 and is to come." REV. iv. 8. 
 
 JEHOVAH ! at whose dread command, 
 
 In life's first opening days, 
 The rolling sea and solid land 
 Arose ! and still in order stand, 
 Hold Thou my feeble, trembling hand 
 
 To tune my harp to praise. & 
 
 O gentle Jesu ! who didst bear 
 
 The spite of human wrong, 
 Thy holy life and death declare 
 That Thou Thyself in nought didst spare, 
 That all may Thy salvation share, 
 
 Thy love awakes my song. 
 
 Spirit of holiness and grace ! 
 
 Thy wonted influence bring, 
 Attune my harp to holy lays, 
 Assist my tongue with grateful praise, 
 Of all Thy wondrous works and ways 
 
 Songs in the night to sing. 
 
 
TRINITY SUNDAY. 
 
 O Triune God ! my soul aspires 
 
 To sing of Thee alone : 
 My holiest thoughts and best desires 
 Would fain be like those altar fires, 
 Whose bright, unfolding flame conspires 
 
 To kiss Thy glorious throne. 
 
 When from Thy hand the worlds were sent, 
 
 In boundless space to move, 
 The Sons of God in wonderment 
 Beheld, and heaven's high concave rent 
 With shouts of joy, and rapture blent, 
 
 And harps attuned by love. 
 
 And I, unworthy though I be, 
 
 To wake the Poet's lyre* ; 
 Yet love to woo sweet Poesy, 
 And tune my harp, O Lord, to Thee, 
 And sing Thy praise in ecstasy, 
 
 Cleanse Thou my lips with fire ! 
 
 As nature's choirs, with one sweet voice, 
 
 Proclaim at morn and even 
 Thy Name, in which their souls rejoice, 
 Let this be e'er my spirit's choice, 
 Like them, though with an humbler voice, 
 
 To sing to Thee in heaven. 
 
1 88 TRINITY SUNDAY. 
 
 Let me, like that sweet bird which sings 
 
 At night near grove or river, 
 In earth's sad night hold communings 
 With Thee, Jehovah, King of kings, 
 Till, borne to Thee on seraphs 7 wings, 
 I sing Thy praise for ever. 
 
TRANSLATIONS. 
 
" I write so 
 
 Of the only truth-tellers now left to God, 
 The only speakers of essential truth, 
 Opposed to relative, comparative, 
 And temporal truths ; the only holders by 
 His sun-skirts, thro' conventional gray glooms ; - 
 The only teachers who instruct mankind 
 From just a shadow on a charnal-wall 
 To find man's veritable stature out 
 Erect, sublime, the measure of a man 
 And that's the measure of an angel, says 
 
 The Apostle." 
 
 E. B BROWNING. 
 
PASSION HYMN. 
 
 FROM THE LATIN OF S. BERNARD. 
 "AD FACIEM CHRISTI PATIENTIS ET A CRUCE PENDENTIS." 
 
 AH Head ! so bruised and wounded, 
 
 Defiled, and put to scorn ; 
 In mockery surrounded 
 
 With that sharp crown of thorn. 
 Hail Thou ! Whose former glory 
 
 Is changed and faded now, 
 And pallid turned, and gory, 
 
 Before Thee angels bow. 
 
 All strength, and grace, and vigour, 
 
 Have faded hence away, 
 For death with cruel rigour 
 
 Asserts his tyrant sway. 
 Thus fainting, weary, wasting, 
 
 Reviled, condemned, despised, 
 Death Thou for me art tasting, 
 
 For me Thou art sacrificed. 
 
192 PASSION HYMN. 
 
 In this Thine awful passion, 
 
 Good Shepherd ! think of me, 
 Thy gentle sweet compassion, 
 
 O Jesu ! let me see. 
 Ah, spurn me not, my Saviour, 
 
 Though guilty, vile, and base, 
 Bend Thy meek head in favour, 
 
 Vouchsafe to me Thy grace. 
 
 Could I, O Lord, most holy, 
 
 My life for Thee lay down, 
 On this Thy cross so lowly, 
 
 That would be my renown. 
 My spirit longs to bless Thee 
 
 For this Thy bitter death, 
 O let me here confess Thee, 
 
 And with Thee yield my breath. 
 
 When Death appears before me, 
 
 Be Thou my strength and shield, 
 And let Thy face shine o'er me 
 
 In agony revealed. 
 Thus, Lord, may I behold Thee, 
 
 And on Thy sufferings dwell ; 
 While firm by faith I hold Thee : 
 
 Who dieth thus, dies well.* 
 
 * There is a most appropriate tune to these words, composed by 
 Bach for a German paraphrase of this hymn. I have named the 
 tune "Ad Faciem Christi." 
 
ANOTHER TRANSLATION. 
 
 ru ; '7 
 
 HAIL, Thou Head(denled>nd torn,^/p, 
 Crowned and bruised with piercing thorn, 
 Shattered, wounded, as decreed, f ) 
 Smitten with the ^cruelj reed, tu** C . 
 Thy face I see ! 
 
 Hail, Thou holy, peaceful brow, 
 Whence jife's_ bloom has vanished now ; L J 
 Nought but deadly pallor reigns ; 
 Yet, tho' death Thy life retains, 
 Angels worship Thee ! 
 
 All Thy vigour, all Thy strength, 
 Gone, alas ! have now at length, 
 7 - Death hath his ^pld signet set 
 * % Drooping and with blood drops wet 
 
 i } ^On Thy face divine. 
 j N. All jhis cruel death and scorn 
 
 Thou, O Christ, for me hast borne. 
 
 
 While those signs of love I see, 
 Which Thou, Lord, hast borne for me, 
 O turn Thy face on mine ! 
 
 In this bitter agony, 
 
 O good Shepherd, think on me, . 
 
 U/ __^^. 
 
 13 
 
194 ANOTHER TRANSLATION. 
 
 From Whose lips of love divine |ft/4 (; 
 I have taken living wine, 
 
 Worth all else beside. % 
 
 rDo not send me now away ; 
 |^Tho' unworthy, with me stay : 
 Now that death is near to Thee, 
 Bend Thy head in love to me, 
 And with me abide ! 
 
 Could I suffer, Lord, for Thee, 
 That divinest joy would be ! 
 On Thy cross with Thee to die, 
 And in death with Thee to lie 
 
 In the grave beneath. 
 Loving Jesu ! Thee I bless; 
 Thou so full of blessedness ! 
 Grant to me, Thy guilty one, 
 That with Thee, and Thee alone, 
 
 I may be in death. 
 
 True it is that I must die ; 
 Lord, when that dread time is nigh, 
 Come to succour me with power, j *s?i 
 In that solemn, trying hour 
 
 Save and set me free ! 
 When Thou callest me away 
 Unto realms of life and day, 
 Lord of life and love be near, 
 
 n Thy saving cross appear 
 
 Show Thyself to me ! 
 
LINES 
 
 SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY MARY QUEEN 
 OF SCOTS. 
 
 O DOMINE Deus, 
 
 Speravi in Te ; 
 
 O care mi Jesu 
 
 Nunc libera me : 
 
 In dura catena, 
 
 In misera poena, 
 
 Desidero Te. 
 
 Languendo, gemendo, et genuflectendo, 
 Adoro, imploro, ut liberes me. Amen. 
 
 TRANSLATION. 
 
 O Lord my God, 
 
 I have hoped in Thee; 
 O Jesu beloved, 
 
 Now liberate me : 
 In the bond of my chain, 
 In the woe of my pain, 
 
 I am longing for Thee. 
 Languishing, weeping, and bowing the knee, 
 I entreat, I implore Thee, to liberate me. Amen. 
 
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 
 
 FROM THE LATIN OF PRUDENTIUS. 
 
 SOON shall come the happy hour, 
 When life's heat again shall seek 
 
 Every nerve with quickening power, 
 And light up the glowing cheek. 
 
 Then the forms which now decay, 
 
 And in mounds, inactive, lie, 
 Shall, in gladness, flee away 
 
 With their spirits to the sky. 
 
 Hence by us this reverence paid 
 To the tombs of those we love, 
 
 Where in solemn pomp arrayed, 
 Calm they wait for joys above. 
 
 Hence the shroud of virgin white, 
 
 Which enwraps them, decked with flowers, 
 Tells, by hope, of pleasures bright 
 
 'Mid yon fadeless, heavenly bowers. 
 
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 197 
 
 Hence the hollowed, rocky cave, 
 
 Funeral dirge and holy prayer : 
 For the body in each grave 
 
 Is not dead, but slumbers there. 
 
THE FERRY. 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN OF UHLAND. 
 
 ONCE I crossed this stream before, 
 Years since then have passed away ; 
 
 Stands the castle as of yore, 
 Now, as then, the waters play. 
 
 In this boat with me, beside 
 
 Sat two friends in love and truth, 
 
 One was, like a father, tried, 
 
 One was flushed with hope and youth. 
 
 That one meekly toiled and died, 
 And unknown his name at last ; 
 
 This for fame and glory vied, 
 Perished he in battle blast. 
 
 And, whene'er on days gone by 
 
 Think I thus, for evermore 
 Must my heart in anguish sigh 
 
 For the friends I loved of yore ? 
 
THE FERRY. 199 
 
 No ! united friend with friend 
 
 Still remains for ever one, 
 And our spirits yet can blend 
 
 Though from sight their forms are gone. 
 
 Take, boatman, thrice thy charge ; 
 
 Take I give it willingly ; 
 For in this thy little barge 
 
 Two bright spirits crossed with me ! 
 
WE MEET AGAIN. 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN OF FEUCHTERSLEBEN. 
 
 IN God's blest counsel, good and wise, 
 It is decreed, from what we prize, 
 
 That we must part. 
 And ah ! there is not in our life 
 More bitter sorrow, "deadlier strife, 
 
 For any heart. 
 
 If unto thee a bud be given, 
 And thou wilt water it at even, 
 
 Of this take heed : 
 It blooms at morn a rose so bright, 
 Yet fades it ere the coming night ; 
 
 That know indeed ! 
 
 And has God given a love to thee ? 
 And dost thou hold her dear in fee, 
 
 Thy very own ? 
 Alas ! in but a little while, 
 She leaves thee with one sad, sweet smile ; 
 
 Then weep alone ! 
 
WE MEET AGAIN. 
 
 But I would have thee entertain 
 This hope, which fainting hearts sustain, 
 As men repeat : We meet again ! * 
 
 * There is a sweet tune to these verses composed by Mendelssohn. 
 I have made the translation in the metre of the original to suit the 
 music. 
 
THE HEART. 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN OF HERMAN NEUMANN. 
 
 Two chambers has the heart, 
 
 Wherein dwell 
 Both Joy and Grief, which never part. 
 
 As wakens Joy in one, 
 
 Then slumbers 
 Grief deeply in her own. 
 
 O Joy, do thou take care, 
 Speak lowly, 
 
 Lest Grief awake ! Beware ! 
 
 i 
 
I HOLD STILL. 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN OF JULIUS STURM. 
 
 PAIN'S wild, hot flames within me quiver, 
 My God Himself the fire doth blow, 
 
 With anguish sore my heart doth shiver 
 And tremble at the fiery glow : 
 
 Calmly I whisper: "As God will," 
 
 And in the hottest fire hold still. 
 
 To lay my weary heart He hastens, 
 
 Upon His anvil hard and cold, 
 And there with hammer strokes He chastens, 
 
 And fain His likeness would behold : 
 I bow, and answer : " As God will," 
 And to His heaviest stroke hold still. 
 
 He holds my heart, and as He beats it, 
 The sparks fly off at every blow, 
 
 He turns it o'er and o'er, and heats it, 
 He lets it cool, He makes it glow : 
 
 Yet calmly speak I : " As God will," 
 
 And in His mighty hand hold still. 
 
204 / HOLD STILL. 
 
 And what would profit idle sorrow ? 
 
 The trial longer-lived would be, 
 The end may come and will to-morrow, 
 
 If God has done His work in me. 
 In faith I answer : " As God will," 
 And to the end hold by Him still. 
 
 He kindles for my profit purely, 
 The fierce hot flames of pain and woe, 
 
 And all the heaviest strokes are surely 
 From His wise Master hand, I know. 
 
 In prayer I whisper : "As God will," 
 
 And wait on Him, and suffer still ! 
 
CRUSADER'S HYMN OF THE TWELFTH 
 CENTURY. 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN. 
 
 JESU ! how beautiful art Thou, 
 Great universal Saviour King ! 
 Before Thee, Lord, in love I bow, 
 To Thee my crown of honour bring, 
 Thou Son of God and Mary. 
 
 How beautiful are verdant fields ; 
 More beautiful the leafy wood 
 When Spring her dazzling glory yields ; 
 Our Jesus is more pure and good ; 
 Our sad hearts He doth strengthen. 
 
 How beautiful the bright-haired sun ; 
 More beautiful the silver moon, 
 When stars their shining courses run ; 
 Jesus is brighter far than noon, 
 Or angels in the heavens. 
 
 How beautiful the flowers shine ; 
 More beautiful by far is man 
 When youth and love and strength combine ; 
 But past how soon is life's brief span. 
 Jesus abides for ever. 
 
206 CRUSADER'S HYMN. 
 
 And all the beauty which we see 
 In heaven above and earth below, 
 Is centred, Jesu, Lord, in Thee : 
 O grant us grace Thy face to know, 
 And look on us in sweetness. 
 
 And when I die, O Lord, at last, 
 Let me not perish ; hold me fast ; 
 May I then be wholly Thine ; 
 And when my weak heart breaking is, 
 O let me say in holy bliss, 
 Jesu, Jesu, Jesu mine ! 
 
LINES 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN OF HEINRICH HEINE. 
 
 THOU art of flowers the brightest, 
 So sweet, so pure, so fair ! 
 
 I look on thee, and sadness 
 Weighs down my heart with care. 
 
 It seems as if, while laying 
 My hand on thee, 'twere meet 
 
 That I should pray ; God keep thee 
 So pure, so fair, so sweet ! 
 
THE NIGHT WATCHMAN'S SONG. 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN. 
 AT EIGHT O'CLOCK. 
 
 HARK ! ye people, and hear me tell, 
 Eight resounds on the belfry bell ; 
 Eight believed God's Holy Word, 
 And saw the judgments of the Lord. 
 Take care of every fire and light, 
 
 That evil may not aught befall ; 
 God grant to each a peaceful night, 
 May He receive the prayer of all. 
 
 AT NINE O'CLOCK. 
 
 Hark ! ye people, and hear me tell, 
 Nine strikes now on the belfry bell ; 
 Nine ungrateful still remained, 
 Praise ye Christ, Whom sin hath pained. 
 Take care etc. 
 
 AT TEN O'CLOCK. 
 
 Hark ! ye people, and hear me tell, 
 Ten peals now on the belfry bell ; 
 
THE NIGHT WATCHMAN'S SONG. 209 
 
 Ten are the Holy Commandments given 
 To man below by God in heaven. 
 Take care etc. 
 
 AT ELEVEN O'CLOCK. 
 
 Hark ! ye people, and hear me tell, 
 Eleven sounds on the belfry bell ; 
 Eleven Apostles of holy mind 
 Preached the Gospel to mankind. 
 Take care etc. 
 
 AT TV/ELVE O'CLOCK. 
 
 Hark ! ye people, and hear me tell, 
 Twelve has pealed on the belfry bell ; 
 Twelve short hours in every day 
 Remain for man to work and pray. 
 Take care etc. 
 
 AT ONE O'CLOCK. 
 
 Hark ! ye people, and hear me tell, 
 One resounds on the belfry bell ; 
 One thing should be highly priced ; 
 Abide with us, Lord Jesus Christ. 
 Take care etc. 
 
 AT TWO O'CLOCK. 
 
 Hark ! ye people, and hear me tell, 
 Two strikes now on the belfry bell ; 
 
 14 
 
THE NIGHT WATCHMAN'S SONG. 
 
 Two paths before mankind are free, 
 Lord ! in the narrow guide Thou me. 
 Take care etc. 
 
 AT THREE O'CLOCK. 
 
 Hark ! ye people, and hear me tell, 
 Three sounds now on the belfry bell ; 
 Three we serve, with the heavenly host, 
 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
 Take care etc. 
 
 AT FOUR O'CLOCK. 
 
 Hark ! ye people, and hear me tell, 
 Four has pealed on the belfry bell ; 
 Four-fold yields the garden soil ; 
 Man ! what yields thy spirit's toil ? 
 
 Awake ! revive your minds from sleep, 
 For now the night has passed away ! 
 Praise God Who doth His children keep 
 To see, in peace, another day. 
 
TRUE LOVE. 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN OF HALM. 
 
 MY heart, I now would ask thee, 
 Ah, what is true love ? say. 
 
 " Two souls, as one in thinking, 
 Two hearts which beat one way." 
 
 And say from whence love cometh ? 
 
 " She comes and she is here !" 
 Tell me how love departeth ? 
 
 " That love is not sincere." 
 
 And what is pure love ? tell me. 
 
 " That which is poor, I wis." 
 And when is love the deepest ? 
 
 " When she most silent is." 
 
 And when is love the richest ? 
 
 " When she gives most away." 
 Tell me how true love speaketh ? 
 
 " She speaks not, but loves for aye." 
 
LONGING. 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN OF SCHILLER. 
 
 AH ! this vale of woe and sadness, 
 
 Which the cold mist hangs around, 
 How my heart would leap with gladness, 
 
 Could I reach its utmost bound ! 
 There, in light, fair hills are lying, 
 
 Bright with everlasting day. 
 O for wings ! that, swiftly flying, 
 
 To those hills I might away. 
 
 Music thence steals softly near me, 
 
 Sounds of heavenly song and psalm, 
 And the swift winds gently bear me 
 
 Odours sweet of fragrant balm. 
 Ripe yon golden fruits are glowing, 
 
 Through their leaves of brightest green, 
 And the flowers, for ever blowing, 
 
 Winter storms have never seen. 
 
 O how glorious on those mountains 
 Forth to walk in such sweet air ! 
 
LONGING. 213 
 
 And to see, from golden fountains, 
 Sunshine floating everywhere ; 
 
 But I may not go ! for, flashing 
 Grim between, a torrent boils, 
 
 From its waves so fiercely dashing 
 Back my trembling soul recoils ! 
 
 There, a boat I see is steering, 
 
 But alas ! the pilot's gone.* 
 Board her quickly, nothing fearing, 
 
 Her bright sails will float anon. 
 Venture forth ; let Faith be near thee ; 
 
 Of the gods no pledge demand, 
 And a miracle shall steer thee 
 
 Into that bright wonder-land ! 
 
 * If Schiller meant anything more than the land of Phantasy in 
 this poem, the above is an unfortunate line. In the last hour of life 
 the Pilot of the Galilean Lake will be near to steer the faithful 
 Christian's bark safe into the haven of eternal rest. Translator. 
 
THE GLOVE. 
 
 FROM THE GERMAN OF SCHILLER. 
 
 BEFORE the arena waiting, 
 
 A fight anticipating, 
 
 And Kingly games. 
 
 Sat King Franz, ; mid his nobles, crowned ; 
 And on high, on the balcony all around, 
 
 Was a garland of noble dames, 
 
 As in command his finger is lifted, 
 Backwards the heavy bolts are shifted ; 
 And, treading with stately mien, 
 A lion bold is seen ! 
 
 Without a sound 
 He looks around, 
 
 And, lazily yawning, 
 
 Stretching and fawning, 
 
 He shakes his mane, 
 
 And lies down on the plain. 
 
 The King signs again, 
 And is opened amain 
 A second door : 
 
THE GLOVE. 215 
 
 Out runs, with wild spring, 
 
 A tiger forth ! 
 Beholding the forest King 
 
 Loud he doth roar. 
 Fiercely he growls, 
 And gloomily scowls ; 
 
 His tail he swings 
 
 In fearful rings, 
 And licks his bloody jowls ! 
 
 He walks, spell bound, 
 
 The lion around, 
 And, snarling and purring, 
 Some anger incurring, 
 
 He lies on the ground. 
 
 The King signs again 
 
 The bolts to unchain ; 
 Two doors are opened at once, and then 
 Two leopards are vomited from the den. 
 With courage bold and dread, 
 They rush to seize the tiger's head ; 
 Who, with his paws extended wide, 
 Prepares to strike on either side. 
 When fiercely doth the lion roar, 
 And rising, calms them all once more. 
 
 Then, in a fearful ring 
 
 Around the lion King, 
 The angry beasts repose. 
 
2i6 THE GLOVE. 
 
 Now, from the balcony above, 
 Falls, from a beautiful hand, a glove ; 
 Between the lion and tiger it lies, 
 In sooth, for a Knight, a dainty prize ! 
 Then to Delorges, the valiant Knight, 
 Turns Lady Kunigund, with scornful delight : 
 " Sir Knight, if your love as ardent be 
 As you swear and vow so carelessly, 
 Prove it, and let my glove be brought," 
 
 At once the Knight, as swift as thought, 
 
 Steps upon the arena sand 
 With bold and hasty stride, 
 And from the furious monsters' side 
 
 He takes the glove with fearless hand ! 
 
 Both Knights and Ladies, shuddering, gaze 
 With mingled terror and amaze ; 
 
 Calmly he brings the glove again, 
 As shouts of welcome around him shower, 
 But the looks of joy all shine in vain 
 (Tho' the heart in love they might enchain) 
 
 From the Lady Kunigund's bower. 
 For right in her face he threw the glove, 
 " Thanks, Dame, I ask not, nor thy love," 
 
 And forsook her the selfsame hour. 
 
 Hazell, Watson, and Viney, Printers, London and Aylesbury. 
 

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