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Tous les au^res exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commen^ant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE ", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s d des taux de rdduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 / THE Of OR SELECTIONiS FROM THE BEST POETS ON BIBWCAL SUBJECTS BY REV. J. DOUGLAS BORTHWICK AUTHOR or ** Cydoptedia ^ Historu rf? Geography, " '^ The Britinh American Reader," " The Battles of the World," dc, do. SECOND EDITION REVISED AND IMPROVED. MONTREAL : PRINTED & PUBLISHED BY GEO. E. DESBARATS, At the Office of the "Canadian Illustrated News." 1h71. Enterkd according to Act of Parliament, iu the year^f Our Lord one thousand e,ght hundred and seventy-one, by Rkv. Johx Doroi^a BoKTHWicK, m the office of the Minister of Agriculture. J PREFACE. Of all tasks which combine dignity with pleasure, and importance with cheering encouragement, there is none surely that can be compared to that of awakening in young people the perception and the enjoyment of poetry. It is the only branch of education in which three quarters of the work is done for us already. Yet, though it be at once the easiest and the most deliglitful of the teacher's duties, it has been, perhajis, in many instances the most neglected of all. To many, we have no doubt, the undertaking seems visionary and im- practicable. Such will admit that it may be good, in an intel- lectual point of view, to make a child learn verses by heart, and right, in a moral and religious one, that he should be able to repeat hyrons and religious poems ; but to expect from him sympathy or pleasure in poetry as such, is, in their creed, to expect an impossibility. Ilence, perhaps, it is that so little attention has been paid to the quality of the verses contained in books of poetry and elocution from which young people are to learn. Till very lately they were all but made up of the very refuse of the Englisli lungufige. What wonder, then, that children should have coniirmed the theory which held poetical enjoyment to be impossible at their age I If there be no valid objection to addressing the minds of children with poetry, let us study to do so, for there is all imaginable argument in its favour. I'oetry i.-i tlie safest, as it is the highest exercise of the imaiji nation. The terrors to which that power so naturally does homage are shorn of their direst and most baleful as|)ects, when they are brought within the realm of beauty. Thoughts of awe will not so readily act as "night feai-s," when onco they have moved "harmonious numbers/' And to enjoy poetry at all, is always an exercise, however unconscious, of the intellect ; so that by giving the imagination this its best and noblest outlet, we are making it help to strengthen, instead of, as it otherwise might, enfeeble the mind. Last of all, it is tlirougli poetry that religious truth most readily finds its way to tlie heart of "children and child-like souls ;" thit) divine influence it is which enables u.s to sympathize with holy men of old. Sacred poetry is, after, of course, her creed, sacraments, liturgy, and ministry, the brightest posses- sion of the Church — the richest pasturage of her children; eminently fitted, therefore, for her little ones, who, as yet, require none of her stern discipline ; whose minds are all open to its gentle and holy inspiration ; ready for truth when so presented to them as that they can livingly apprehend it, but incapable of giving it any cordial reception in the forms of logic, or the loveless antagonism of controversy. For all these reasons, we say, cultivate in children a taste for poetry. It is hardly a labour to do so : and in as far as it is one, it is nearly sure to be richly rewarded. J. Douglas Bobthwioe. June 1, 1871. THE HARP OF CANAAN. HISTORICAL INCIDENTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. THE CREATION. The spacious firmament on high, With all the blue ethereal sky, And spangled heavens, a shining frame, Their great Original proclaim. Th' unweari'd sun, from day to day Does his Creator's power display: And publishes to ev'ry land The work of an Ahnighty liand. Soon as the ev'ning shades prevail. The moon takes up the wondrous tale And nightly to the list'ning earth ' Kepeats the story of her birth ; While all the stars that round her bum And all the planets in their turn, ' Confirm the tidings as they roll, ' And spread the truth from pole to pole. What though in solemn silence all Move round the dark terrestrial ball ? What though no real voice, nor sotmd Amidst their radiant orbs be found ? ' In Reason's ear they all rejoice. And utter forth a glorious voice • For ever singing, as they shine, ' " The hand that made us is Divine." THE CREATION. ^ -Meanwhile the Son On His great expedition now appear' d, Girt with Umnii:)otence, witli radiance crowud Of Majesty I)i\ ine ; sapience and love Immense, and all His Father in Ilim shone. About His chariot, numberless were pour'd Cherub, and seraph, potentates, and thrones, And virtues, wing'd spirits, and chariots wing'd From th' armory of God, where stand of old Mj'riads, between two brazen mountains lodg'd Against a solemn day, harness'd at hand, Celestial equipage ! and now came i'orth Spontaneous, for within them spirit liv'd, Attendant on their Lord: heaven oj^eu'd wide Her ever-during gates, harmonious sound ! On golden hinges moving, to let forth The King of Gloiy, in His powerful Word And Spirit coming to create new worlds. On heavenly ground they stood ; and from the shore They view'd the vast immeasurable abyss, Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, wild. Up from the bottom turn'd by furious winds And surging waves, as mountains, to assault Heaven's height, and with the centre mix the pole. " Silence, ye troubled waves, and thou deep, peace! ' Said then th' omniflc Word; " your discord end : " Ivor stay'd ; but on the wings of cherubim Uplifted, in paternal glory rode Far into Chaos, and the world unborn ; For Chaos heard His voice. Him all His train FoUow'd in bright jDrocession, to behold Creation, and the wonders of His might. Then stay'd the fervid wheels; and in His hand He took the golden compasses, prepar'd In God's eternal store, to circumscribe This universe, and all created things. One foot He center' d, and the other turn'd Eound through the vast profundity obsoui-e, And said. '' Tlius far extend, ihus far thy bounds, This be thy just circumference, O wurld I " i i THE FIRST SABB: TH. Here finish'd He, and all that He had made, View'd, and behold all was entirely good ; > So even and morn accomplish'd the sixth day : Yet. not till the Creator, from His work Desisting, though unwearied, up return'd, Up to the heaven of heavens. His high abode; Thence to behold this new created world. The addition of His empire, how it show'd In i^rosj^ect from His throne, how good, how fair, Answering His great idea. Up He rode, Follow'd with acclamation, and the sound Symphonious of ten thousand harps that tuned Angelic harmonies ; the earth, the air Ee.sounded (thou remember'st, for thou heard'st,) The heavens and all the constellations rung, The planets in their station listening stood. While the bright pomp ascended jubilant. " Open, ye everlasting gates ! " they sung, " Open, ye heavens, your living doors ; let in *' The great Creator from His work iieturn'd ^* MagniHcent, His six days' work, a world ; *' Open, and henceforth oft ; for God will deign " To visit oft the dwellings of just men, *' Delighted ; and with frequent intercourse '' Thither will send His winged messengers *' On errands of supernal grace.'" — So sung The glorious train ascending : He through heaven, That open'd wide her blazing portals, led To God's eternal house direct the way ; A broad and amjile road, whose dust is gold. And pavement stars, as stars to thee appear Seen in the galaxy, that milky-way Which nightly, as a circling zone, thou seest Powder'd with stars. And now on eartli the seventh Evening rose in Eden, for the sun Has set, and twilight from the east came on, Forerunning night ; when at the holy mount Of heaven's high-seated top, the imperial throne Of Godhead lixed for ever firm and sure. The Filial Power arrived, and sat Hiri down With His great Father there; and, from His work Now resting, bless'd and hallow'd the seventh duy. As resting on that day from all His work. But not in silence holy kept : the harp Had work and rested not ; the solemn pipe, And dulcimer, all organs of swaet stop, 8 All sounds on fret by string or golden wire, Tempor'd soft tunings, intermix'd with voice Choral or unison : of incense clouds, Fuming from golden censers, hid the mount. Creation and the six days' acts they sung': ' Great are Thy works, Jehovah ! infinite ' Thy power ! what thought can measure Thee, or tongue ' Kolato Thee? Greater now in Thy return ' Than from the giant angels : Thee that day • Thy thunders magnified ; but to create ' Is greater than created to destroy. ' Who can impair Thee, Mighty King, or bound ' Thy emiiire? Easily the proud attempt ' Of spirits apostate, and their counsels vain, ' Thou hast repell'd ; while impiously they tliought Thee to diminisli, and from Thee withdraw ' The number of Thy worshippers. Who seeks ' To lessen Thee, against his purpose serves * To manifest the more Thy might: his evil ' Thou usest, and from thence Greatest more good.. ' Witness this new-made world, another heaven ' From heaven-gate not far, founded in view On the clear hyaline, the glassy sea ; ' Of amplitude almost immense, with stars ' Numerous, and t ery star perhaps a world ' Of destined habitation; but Thou know'st Their seasons : among these the seat of men, ' Earth with her nether ocean circumfused, ' Their pleasant dwelling place. Thrice happy mea ' And sons of men whom God hath thus advanced I ' Created in His image theie to dwell ' And worship Him ; and in reward to rule ' Over His works, on earth, in sea, or air, ' And multiply a race of worshippers ' Holy and just; thrice happy, if they know ' Their happiness, and persevere upright ! " So sung they, and the empyrean rung With hallelujahs : thus was the Sabbath kept. GOD VISIBLE IN ALL NATUKE. There lives and works A soul in all things, and that soul is God. The beauties of the wilderness are His, That make so gay the solitary place, Where no eye sees them; and the fairM* forms That cultivation glories in are His. , He sets the bright procession on its way, And marshals all the order of the year ; He marks the bounds which Winter may not pass. And blunts his pointed fury : in its case, Kusset and rude, Iblds up the tender germ, Uninjured, with inimitable art ; And, ere one flowery season fades and dies, Designs the blooming wonders of the next. The Lord of all Himself through all diftused, Sustiiins, and is the life of all that lives. Kature is but a name for an etfect. Whose cause is God. . . . Uno Spirit — His Who wore the platted thorns, with bleeding brows- Kules universal nature. Not a flower But shows some touch, in Ireckle. streak, or strain, Of His unrivalled pencil. He inspires Their balmy odours, and imparts their liues. And bathcii their eyes vith nectar, and includes, In grains as countless as the sea-side sands, The forms with whicli He sprinkles all tbn earth. Happy who walks witli Him ! whom wliat he finds Of flavour or of scent in fruit or Hower, Or what he views of beautiful or gi-and In Nature, from the broad majestic oak To the green blade that twinkles in tlie sun. Prompts with rememljrance of a present God. ADAM'S FIRST SENSATIONS. As new waked from soundest sleep, Soft on the flowery herb I found me laid, In V>ahny sweat which with his beams the Sun Soon dried, and on the reeking moistuie fed. Straight toward heaven my wona3ring eyes I turned^ And gazed a while the ampie sky till, raised By quick instinctive motion, up I sprung. As thitherward endeavouring, and upright Stood on my feet. About me round I saw Hill, dale, and shady woods, and sunny plains, And I'.quid lapse of murmuring streams ; by these Creatures that lived and moved, and walked or flew ^ Birds on the branches warbling. All things smiled y With fragrance and with joy my heart o'erflowed. Myself I then perused, and limb by limb 10 Surveyed and sometimes went, and sometimes ran With supple joints, as lively vigour led : But who I was, or where, or from what cause, Knew not. To speak I tried, and forthwith spake j My tongue obeyed, and readily could name Whato'er I saw, " Thou Sun," said I, " i'air light, And thou enlightened Earth, so fresh and gay. Ye hills and dales, ye rivers, woods, and plains. And ye that live and move, lair creatures, tell. Tell, if you saw, how I came thus, how here ? Not of mj'selfl By some great Maker, then. In goodness and in power pre-eminent : Tell me how may I know him, how adore. From whom I have that thus I move and live. And feel that I am happier than I know." THE GARDEN OF EDEN. Southward through Eden went a river large. Nor changed his course, but through the shaggy hill Passed underneath engulfd ; for (iod had thrown That mountain as his garden mould, high raised Upon the ra2)id current, which ihrough veins Of porous earth, with kindly thirst up drawn, Kose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill Watered the garden ; thence luiited fell Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood. Which from his darksome passage now appears : And now divided into four main streams, Euns diverse, wandering many a famous realm And country, wheieof here needs no account; But rather to tell how, if Art could tell — How, from tnat sapphire fount the cr'sp^d brooks, Eolling on orient pearls and sands of gold, With mazy error lender pendent shades. Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed Flowers worthy of Paradise, which not nice Art In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon Poured forth profuse on hill, and dale, and jilain. Both where the morning sun first warmly smote The open field, and where the unpierced shade Imbrowned the noontide bowers : thus was this place A happy rural seat of various view ; — ■Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm, •Others, whose fruit, burnished with golden rind, Hun.i! amiable, Hesperian fables true, 11 If true, hei "; only, and of delicious taste : Betwixt them lawns and level downs, and flocks Orazing the tender herb, were interposed^ Or palmy hillock ; or the tiowenr lap Of some irriguous valley spread' Ler store, Flowers of all hue, and without thorn, the rose : Another side, umbrageous grots and caves Of cool recess, o'er which the mantltng vine Lays forth her purple grapes, and gently creeps Luxuriant ; meanwhile murmuring waters fall Down the slope hills, disjter^ed. or in a lake, That to the fringed bank •with mvrtle crowned Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams. The birds their choir apply : airs, vernal airs, Breathing the smell of tield and grove, attune The trembling leaves, while universal Pan, Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance, Led on the eternal Spring. EVE'S RECOLLECTIONS. That day I oft remember, when from sleep I first awaked, and found myself reposed Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where And what 1 was, whence thither brought, and how. Not distant far from thence, a murmuiing sound Of waters issued from a cave, and spread Into a liquid plain, then stood unmoved Pure as the expanse of heaven. I thither went With unexperienced thought, and laid me down On the green bank, to look into the clear Smooth lake, that to me seem'd another sky. As I bent do.vn to look, just opposite A shajje within the watery gle^ai appear d, Bending to look on me : J tiajted Ij^ck. It started back ; but pleasred I soo»n retum'd, Pleased it return' d as soon with answering looks Of sympathy and love. 12 EVE TO ADAM. With thee conversing 1 forget all time ; All sefiHons, and their change, all please alike. Sweet is tlie breath of Morn, her rising sweet, With chai-ni oi" earliest birds ; pleasant the Sun^ When first on this delightful land he spreads His orient beams on herb, tree, fruit, and flower. Glistering with dew : fragrant the fertile Earth After soft showers ; and sweet the coming on Of grateful Evening mild ; then silent Night, With this her solemn bird, and this fair Moon, And these the gems of Heaven, her starry train. But neither breatli of Morn, when she ascends With charm of earliest birds; nor rising Sun On this delightful land ; nor herb, fruit, flower, Glistering with dew ; nor fragrance after shov/ers, Nor grateful Evening mild ; nor silent Night, With this her solemn bird : nor walk by Moon Or glittering star-light, without thee, is sweet. "ADAM, WHERE ART THOU?" Adam, where art thou ? monarch, where ? It is thy Maker calls : What mean;? that look of wild despair, What anguish now enthralls ? Why in the wood's embowering shide, Dost thou attempt to hide, From llim Whose hand thy kingdom made, And all thy wants supplied ? Go hide again, thou fallen one, The crown has left thy brow | The robe of purty is gone, And thou art i.aked now. I I Adam, where art thou ? monarch, wlu .( Assert thy high command ? Call forth the tiger from his lair, To lick thy kingly hand ; Control the air, control the earth, Control the foaming sea ; They ow . no more thy heavenly birth, 13 Or heaven-stamp' d royal ty. The brutes no longer will caress But share with thee thy reign ; For the sceptre of thy righteousness, Thy hands have snapped in twain. Adam, where art thou ? monarch, where T Thou wondrous thing of clay ; Ah ! let the eartliworm now declare, Who claims thee as his prey ; Thy mother, oh thou mighty one, For thee re-opes her womb ; Thou to the narrow house art gone, Thy kingdom is thy tomb ; The truth from Godhead's lips that came, There in thy darkness learn ; Of dust was formed thy beauteous fi-ame, And shall to dust return. Adam, where art thou ? where I ah where f Behold him raised above. An everlasting life to share, In the bright world of love. The hand he once 'gainst heaven could raise, Another sceptre holds ; His brows where new-born glories blaze. Another crown enfolds. Another robe's Hung over him, More fair than was his own ; And with the fire-tongued seraphim, He dwells before the throne. But whence could such a change proceed ? What power could raise him there ? So late by God's own voice decreed Transgression's curse to bear. Hark ! hark ! he tells — ^a harp well strun^ His grateful arms embrace ; iSalvation is his deathless song, And grace, ; abounding grace ; And sounds t'.nougli all the upper sky A strain with wonders rife, Vhat Life hath given itself to die, And bring death back to life. 14 ADAM AND EVE LEAYINa PARADISE. So spake our Mothpr Eve ; and Adam heard Well-pleased, but answered not : for now too nigh The Archangel stood ; and from the other hill To their fixed station, all in bright array, The Cherubim descended; on the ground Gliding meteorous, as evening mist Ilisen Irom a river o'er the marish glides, And gathers ground, fast at the labourer's heel Homeward returning. High in front advanced The brandished sword of God before them blazed. Fierce as a comet ; which, with torrid heat And vapours as the Lybian air adust. Began to parch that temperate clime ; whereat In either hand the hast'ning Angel caught Our lingering parents : and to th' eastern gate Led them direct and down the cliff' as fast To the subjected plain : then disappeared. They, looking back, all the eaacern side beheld Of Paradise ; so late their happy seat I Waved over by that Haming brand ; the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms. Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon j: The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide. They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way. EVE'S FIRST BORN. For the first time, a lovely scene ■ Earth saw, and smiled — A gentle form with pallid mien. Bending o'er a new-born child. The pang, the anguish, and the woe That speech hath never told, Fled, as the sun with noontide glow Dissolves the snow-wreath cold. Leaving the bliss that none but mothers know. While he. the partner of her heaven-taught joy. Knelt in adoiitig praise beside the beauteous boy. 15 She, first of all our mortal race, Learned the ecstacy to trace The expanding form of infant grace, From her own lil'e-spring fed ; To mark each radiant hour, Heaven's sculpture still more perfect growing, More full of power ; The little foot's elastic tread, The rounded cheek, like rose-bud glowing, The fringed eye with gladness flowing As the pure blue fountains roll ; And then those lisping sounds to hear, Unfolding to her thrilling ear The strange, mysterious, never-dying soul. And with delight intens3 To watch the angel-smile of sleeping innocence. No more she mourned lost Eden's joy, Or wept her cherished flowers. In their primeval bowers, By wrecking tenii)est riven ; The thorn and thistle of the exile's lot She heeded not. So all absorl)ing was hev sweet employ To rear the incipient man, the ^'''t: her God had given. " CAIN, WHERE IS THY BROTHER ABEL ? »r Where is thy brother Abel ? Thou murderer, answer, where ? He talked with thee on yonder plain. Beside the altar there ; Sweet peace was in his eye serene. And his heart was fill'd with love; As he pointed thy unbonded soul To Ilim who reigns above. Where is thy brother Abel ? Thou fratricide, ah ! where ? Thy heart, in childhood's earlier hours, His joy or grief could share ; Ye danced beneath the same green tree : In the same bower ye played ; And oft have wandered hand in hand, Beneath the gi'ove's deep shade. 1' 16 ii li Where is thy brother Abel ? Unfeeling one, ah I where ? Lock'd in each other's fond embrace, Ye once could know no care ; Nor the silence nor the gloom of night Could wake an anxious fear, "While in each other's arms ye lay, Or felt each other near. Where is thy brother Abel ? Ungrateful one, ah ! where ? His lips dwelt long upon thy name As he breathed his morning prayer ; He begged that Heaven would fix thy faith, On Him that is to ccme, To take away the curse of sin, And bring God's outcasts hoijie. Where is thy brother Abel ? Thy red hands answer where, No light is in his sunken eye, No smiles his cold cheeks bear ; His lips are closed ; his tongue is sealed j His locks are w^t with gore ; The cooling breeze revives him not, 'Tv.'ill wake him now no more. His blood has raised its voice to heaven, And calls for vengeance loud ; Yet mercy still, with smiling face, Looks o'er the thunder cloud ; But a fugitive and a vagabond, Thou now on earth shalt be, Tliough the latest breath that passed his lips Was spent in prayer for thee. ill! CAIN ON THE SEA-SHORE. WoB is me I oh where, oh where Doth my spirit drive me? where? These wild torrents roll to me Abel's blood I — It is the seal E'en to earth's remotest verge Vengeance doth nie onward urge I 17 Where no tongue did e'er complain, Abel's blood has banished Cain ! Woe is me ! My brother's blood Thunders in the roaring flood ! In the rocky beach's sound! In the cavern's loud rebound! As the waves beat round the rock, So my spirit feels the shock Of giief and rage, anguished mood. Dread of Heaven, Abel's blood! Open, waves, youf surging tide ! For the earth, when Ahel died, Drank the blood of him I slew, Heard the curse of vengeance too ! •Open, waves, your surging tide! And disclose your bed all wide ! Ah 'tis vain! revenge has might In the realm of ancient night ! In the darkest, deepest deep, Abel's shade wculd near me keep — Near me, though I took my flight To the highest mountain's height. Should this frame dissolve away, Of the whirlpool-storm the prey, Yet, oh yet, would Cain still dread Heaven's anger on his head! Knowl. g now no end, no age, My tormented spirit's rage (Time's remotest boundaries past.) Through unceasing years wi'l last. Vengeance on my head I drew, Th' instant I my brother slew ! Woe is me ! oh woe is me ! Dread of Heaven follovvs me '. 18 ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD. He walked with God, in holy joy, While yet his days were few ; The deep glad spirit of the boy To love and reverence grew. Whether, each nightly sttir to count The ancient hills he trod, Or sought the Hovvers by stream and fount- Alike he walked with God. The graver noon of manhood came, The time of cares and feai-s ; One voice wa.s in his heart — the same It lieard through childliood's years. Amid fair tents, and flocks and swains, Oer his green pasture sod, A shepherd king on eastern plains. The patriarch walked with God. And C4ilmly, brightly, tliat pure lifo' Melted from o;»rth away: No cloud it knew, no parting strife, No sorrowful deejay ; He bow'd him not, like all beside, Unto the spoiler's rod, But Join'd at once the glorified Whero angels walk with God! iSo let us walk ! — the night must come To us that comes to all ; We through the darkness must go hom^ Hearing the tempest's call. Closed it? tlie path for evermore Which without death he trod; Not so that way wherein of yore His footsteps waik'd with God. c-.^..,^- 19 THE DELUGE. Morn came , but the broad light, which hung so long In heaven, forsook the showering firmament, The clouds went floating on their fatal way. Rivers had grown to seas : the great sea swollen, Too mighty for its bounds, broke on the land, Koaring and rushing, and each flat and plain Devoured. Upon the mountains now were seen Gaunt men and women hungering with their babes Eyeing each other, or, with marble looks. Measuring the space beneath, swift less^ening. At tia .»s a swimmer from a distant rock Less high, came struggling with the waves, but s,, nk Back from the slippery soil. Pale mothers then Wept without hope, and agdd heads struck cold By agues, trembling like autumnal leaves ; And infants mourned, and young boys shrieked with fear. Stout men grew white with famine. Beautiful girls, Whom once the day languished to look on, lay On the wet earth, and rung their drenching hiair; And fathers saw them there dying, and stole Their scanty fare, and, while they perished, thrived. Then terror died, and grief, and proud despair, Rage, and remorse, infinite agony. Love in its thousand shapes, weak and sublime, Birth-strangled ; and strong passion perished. The young, the old, weak, wise, the bad, the good, Fell on their faces, struck, — whilst over them Washed the wild waters, in their clamorous march. Still fell the flooding rains. Great Ossa stood Lone, like a peering Alp, when vapours shroud Its sides unshaken in the restless waves : But from the weltering deeps Pelion arose. And shook his piny forehead at the clouds, Moaning ; and crowned Olympus all his snows Lost from his hundred heads, and shrank aghast. Day, eve, night, morning, came and passed away. No sun was known to rise and none to set : 'Stead of its glorious beams a sickly light Paled the broad oast what time the day is born ; At others a thick mass, vapours and black In form like solid marble, roofed the sky. Yet gave no shelter. Still the ravenous wolf Howled ; the wild foxes, and the household do;^ Grown wild, upon the mounfexins fought and fed Each on the other. The great eagle still In his home brooded, inaccessible ; 20 Fl Or, when the gloomy morning seemed to break. Floated in silence on the shoreless seas. Still the quick snake unclasped its glittering eyes, Or shivering lunig about the roots of pines ; And still all round the vultures flew ard watched The tumbling waters thick with bird and beast ; Or, dashing in the midst their ravenous beaks, Plundered the rolling billows of their dead. Beneath the headlong torrents, towns and towers Fell down ; temples all stone, and brazen shrines, And piles of marble, Palace and Pyramid (Kings' homes or towering graves) in a breath were swept Crtunbling away. Masses of ground, and trees Uptom and floating, hollow rocks brute-crammed. Vast herds, and bleating flocks, reptiles, and beasts Bellowing, and vainly with the choking waves Struggling, were hurried out, — but none returned : All on the altar of the giant sea Offered, like twice ten thousand hecatombs. Still fell the flooding rains, still the earth shrank I And ruin held his strait territic way. Fierce lightnings burnt the sky, and the loud thunder ( Breast of fiery air) howled from his cloud, Exalting toward the storm eclipsed moon. Below, the ocean rose boiling and black And flung its monstrous billows far and wide, Crumbling the moimtain joints and summit hills : Then its dark throat is bared, and rocky tusks. Where with enormous waves on their broad backs The demons of the deep were raging loud : And the sea lion and the whale were swung, Like atoms round and round. Mankind was dead ; And birds whose active wings once cut the air. The beasts that cut ihe water, all were dead : And every reptile of the woods had died, Which crawled or stung, and every curling worm : The untamed tiger in his den, the mole In his dark home — were choked; the darting oimce, An the blind adder, and the stork fell down Dead; — and the stifled mammoth, a vast bulk. Was washed far out amongst the populous foam. And there the serpent, which, few hours ago, Could crack the panther in his scaly folds, Lay lifeless, like a weed, beside his prey. And now, all o'er the deep, corses were strewn, Wide floating millions, like the rubbish flung For':h when a plague prevails, the rest down sucked, Sank buried in the world-destroying seas. -i J 21 SUBSIDING OF THE WATERS DELUGE. OF THE He looked and saw the ark hull on the flood, Which now abated ; for the clouds were fled. Driven by a keen north wind, that blowing dry, Wrinkled the face of Deluge, as decayed : And the clear Sun on his wide watery glass Glazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew, As after thirst ; which made their flowing shrink From standing lake to tri])ping ebb, that stole With soft foot towards the Deep ; who now had stopt His sluices, as the Heaven his windows shut. The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground, Fast on the top of some high mountain fixed. And now the tops of hills, Jis rocks, appear ; With clamour thence the rapid currents drive, Tnwards the retreating sea, their furious tide. Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies, And after him the surer messenger, A dove, sent forth once and again to spy Green tree or ground, whereon his foot may light : The second time returning, in his bill An olive leaf he brings, pacific sign : Anon, dry ground appears, and iVom his ark The ancient Sire descends, with all his train, Then with uplifted hands, .and eyes devout, Grateful to Heaven, over his head beholds A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow Conspicuous with three listed colours gay. Betokening peace from God. and covenant new. TO THE RAINBOW. Triumphal arch, that fill'st the sky When storms prepare to part, I ask not proud Philosophy To teach me what thou art. Still seem, as to my childhuod's sight, A mid-way station given, 9"? For happy spirits to uli^tht Betwixt the eaitli and heaven. Can all, that optics tench, unlbld Thy form to pleasf; mo so, As when I dreamt of gems and gol.l Ilid in thy radiant how ? Wlien Science from Creation's face Enchantment's veil withdraws, What lovely visions yield their placo To cold material laws ! And yet, fair bow, no fabling dreams, But words of the Most High, Have told why first thy robe of beams Was woven in the sky. When o'er the green undeluged earth Heaven's covenant thou didst shine, How came the world's grey fathers forth, To watch thy sacred sign. And when its yellow lustre smiled, O'er mountains yet untrod, Each mother held aloft her child, To blei^s the bow of God. i'if' Methinks, thy jubilee to keep. The first made anthem rang On earth, delivered from the deep, And the first poet sang. Nor ever shall the Muse's eye, Unraptured greet thy beam j Theme of primeval i^rophecy. Be still the poet's theme ! The earth to thee her incense yields, The lark thy welcome sings. When glittering in the freshened Hell.s, The snowy mushroom springs. How glorious is thy girdle cast O'er mountain, tower, and town. Or mirrored in the ocean vast, A thousand fathoms down ! As fresh in yon horizon dark, As young thy beauties seem, 23 As when the eagle from the ark First sported in thy beiim. For, faithful to its sacred page, Heaven still rebuilds thy span, Nor lets the type grow pale with age, That tirst spoke peace to man. THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM. The wind blows chill across those gloomy waves ; Oh ! how unlike the green and dancing main 1 The surge is foul, as if it rolled o'er graves : Stranger, here lie the cities of the plain. Yes, on that plain, by wild waves covered now, Rose palace once and sparkling pinnacle ; On pomp and spectacle beamed morning's glow, On pomp and festival the twilight fell. Lovely and splendid all, — but Sodom's soul Was stained with blood, and pride, and perjury ; Long warned, long spared, till her whole heart was foul, And fiery vengeance on its clouds came nigh. And still she mocked, and danced, and, taunting, spoke Her sportive blasphemies against the Throne : It came ! The thunder on her slumber broke : God spake the word of wrath ! — Her dream was done. Yet, in her final night, amiu her stood Immortal messengers, and pausing Heaven Pleaded with man ; but she was quite imbued. Her last hour waned, she scorned to be forgiven ! 'Twas done ! down poured at once the sulphurous shower, Down stooped, in flame, t'uc heaven's red canopy. Oh ! for the arm of l^od, in that fierce hour I 'Twas vain ; nor help of rfoti or man was nigh. They rush, they bound, they howl, the men of sin ; Still stooped the cloud, still burst the thicker blaze ; TUxe earthquake heaved I Then sank the hideous dia ; Yon wave of darkness o'er their ashes strays. (it _^1 24 ABRAHAM'S SACRIFICE. The noontide sun streamed brightly down-. < 'n Moriah's mountain crest, The golden blaze of his vivid rays Tinged sacred Jordan's breast ; Whilst towering palms and flowerets sweet,. Drooped low 'ueath Syria's burning heat. In the sunny glare of the sultry air, Tv/iled up the mountain side, The Patriarch sage in stately age. And a youth in health's gay pride, Bearing in eyes and in features fair, The stamp of his mother's beauty rare. She had not known when one rosy dawn Ere they'd started on their way. She had smoothed with care, his clustering haii'^ And knelt with him to pray. That his father's hand and will alike, Were nerved at his young heart to strike. The Heavenly Power that with such dower of love fills a mother's heart. Ardent and pure, that can all endure, Of her life itself a part. Knew too well that love beyond all price. To ask of her such a sacrifice. Though the noble boy with laughing joy Had borne on the mountain road, Th' holocaust wood, which in mournful mood^. His sire had helped to load, Type of Him who dragged up Calvary, The cross on which He was to die. The hot breath of noon began, ah I soon, Ctn his youthful frame to tell, ( »n the ivory brow, flushed, wearied, now, 1 1 laid its burning spell. And listless — heavy — he journeyed on, 1'he smiles from his lips and bright eyes gone. Once did he say, on their toilsome way, " Fiither, no victim is near," But with heavy sigh and tear dimmed eye, In accents gad though clear, Abraham answered : " The Loid our Gaid&. A fitting holocaust will provide." The altar made and the fuel laid, Lo I the victim stretched thereon Is Abraham's son, his only one,, Who at morning's blushing dawn. Had t;tarted with smiles that care defied. To travel on at his fathers side. With grief-struck brow, the Patriarch now, Baicrf the sharp and glittering knife. On that mournful pyre, oh hapless Sire I Must he take his darlings life; Will fails not, though his eves are dlm^ God gave his Boy— he belongs to Him. With anguish riven, he casts towards heaven. One look, imploring wild. That doth mutely pray for strength, lo slay His own, aye I his only child ; When forth on the air swells it glad command. And an angel stays his trembling hand. The offering done — father and son Come down Mount Moriah's steep, Joy gleaming now on Abraham's brow. In his heart thanksgiving deep : Whilst from His far and resplendent Throne, With love, Heaven's King on both looks down. HAOAR AND ISHMAEL. " Ah me I My son, my son ! Pitiless light pours down the burning sky, And water there is none." " My mother 1 is it night ? " " Th' accursM sun hath blinded his sweet eves Those liviug wells of light. ' ' "Night in the midst of noon, — O would that it were death, that he might wr ke No more out of his .swoon. I •m Hi Bi- i;iii i':i( liU i |i Slilfl i i 26 " But he will waken wild With thirst, and rave, and water there is none — Oh, God ! my child 1 my child I "Would I my soul could pour Out like a well-spring in this scorching waste, That he might thirst no more. " Would he my life might drain, As once my breast, I'd hold it to his lips, That he might live again. " I cannot see him die — O God, how canst thou see it up in Heaven, Nor help, if Thou art nigh ? " Wilf, Thou cast off for aye, Like Abram ? Hast Thou not enough for all ? That all may hope and pray. " Yea, if Thou art the Lord, r ncovenanted though thy mercy be, Wilt thou not help afford ? " She ceased ! A stony look Uplifting to the burning sky once more, The fainting lad she took, And lifted him with care Into the shadow of a rock, and strode , Away in her despair. She will not see him die ; But hears her heart throb in the voiceless waste, While listening for his cry. And listening thus there breaks A mystic murmur on her straining ear — As from a dream she wakes. A mist before her eyes Of angel wings departing — a white cloud That lessens up the skies. And at her feet she knows, From the soft gush among the sinking «and, The living water flow.s. I! Jif! - ' 27 ABRAHAM AT MACHPELAH. Dexselt wrapped in shades Olive and terebinth, its vaulted door Flecked with the untrained vine and matted grass, Behold Machpelah's cave. Hark ! hear we not A voice of weeping ? Lo, yon aged man Bendeth beside his dead. Wave after wava Of memoiy rises, till his lonely hear i Sees all its treasures floating on the flood Like rootless weeds. The earliest dawn of love Is present with him, and a form of grace * Whose beauty held him ever in its thrall : And then the morn of marriage, gorgeous robes And dulcet music and the rites that bless The Eastern bride. Full many a glowing scene Made happy by her tenderness, returns To mock his solitude. Again their home Oleams through the oaks of Mamro. There he sat Rendering due rites of hospitality To guests who bore the folded wing of Heaven Beneath their vestments. And her smile was there Among the angels. When her clustering curls Wore Time's chill hoar frost, with what glad sui-priso What holy triumphs of exulting faith He saw, fresh blooming in her withered arms, A fair young babe, the heir of all his wealth, For ever blending with that speechless joy Which thrilled his soul when lirst a father's name Fell on his ear, is that pale, placid brow O'er which he weeps. Yet had he seen it wear Another semblance, tinged with hues of thought Perchance, unlovely in that trial hour When to sad Hagar's mute reproachful eyes He answered nought, but on her shoulder bound The cruse of water and the loaf, and sent Her and her son unfriended wanderers forth Into the wilderness. Say, who can mourn Over the smitten idol, by long years Cemented wiih his being, yet perceive No dark remembrance that he fain would blot, Troubling the tear ? If there were no kind deed ■li 11 m 28 Omitted, no sweet healing word of love Expected yet unspoken ; no sharp tone, That jarred discordant on the quivering nerve. For which the weeper fain would rend the tomb To cry, " Forgive ! " oh ! let him kneel and praise God, amid all his grief. We may not say If aught of penitence was in the pang That rung his laboring bi'east, while o'er the dust Of Sarah, at Machpelah's watery tomb, The proud and princely Abraham bowed him down A mourning stranger, 'mid the sons of Heth. iii i THE REPENTANCE OF ESAU. M iM The eastern moon rose broad and red Against the Western Sun ; The fring'd palm higher raia'd its head. The day's fierce reign was done. The Patriarch's tent stood cool and white And dark the shade it threw, While dim and far and lost in night The sands drank in the dew. ■^ A vaguely solemn, silent scene. Round Sheba's Valley slept ; When from the tent's white folds between, A voice of one who wept. The cry throughout the valley past Contrition and despair, " One Blessing Father, all thou hast I None left for me ! thine heir I " The- palm trees wav'd, the moon rose high» The misty desert spread. How could be check'd by mortals cry Nature's majestic tread? The night absorb'd the transient sound,. No rock gave back the sigh, All unresponsive was around, To faail man's agony. 29 Oh nature I cruel to thy child I How many a bitter pain, Since that lone cry upon the wild Hath sought thy breast in vain ! One blessing only, Mother Earth! Can no hot tears efface ? Is all Remorse but nothing worth Past errors to retrace ? No I Nature's Laws cannot reverse For man's inconstant mind, And one must reap the whirlwind curse If one have sown the wind. One blessing and forever gone I Oh dreary coming years 1 Inexorable world roll on I Thou canst not stay for tears I Yet far beyond earth's utmost zone The King of Kings most high, And all the Angels round His Throne Catch each remorseful sigh ; There the Repentant need not stand In sorrow all in vain, That in his Heavenly Father's Hand iTo blessings still remain. For there are "many Mansions " fair And Joys beyond our thought, Such as ne'er fill'd the raptur'd ear Nor trained eye hath caught. Then "lift the drooping hands " once more And " bend the feeble knees " To Him who only can restore, And ev'ry grief appease. JACOB'S DREAM. !V The sun was sinking on the mountain zone That guard thy vales of beauty, Palestine I And lovely from the desert rose the moon Tet lingering on the horizon's purple line, it'; 30 I 111! il i I ! I I! , "I Like a pure spirit o'er its earthly shrine. Up Padan-aram's lieight abrupt and hare A pilgrim toil'd, and ot't on day's decline Lookd pale, then paused for eve's delicious air ; Thd summit gain'd, he knelt and breathed his evening prayer^ He spread his cloak and slumber'd — darkness fell Upon the twilight hills ; a sudden sound Of silver trumpets o'er him seem'd to swell ; Clouds heavy with the tempest gather'd round j Yet was the whirlwind in its caverns bound : Still deeper roll'd the darkness from on high, Gigantic volume upon volume wound, Above, a pillar shooting to the sky, Below, a mighty sea, that spread incessantly. Voices are heard — a choir of golden strings, Low winds, whose breath is loaded with the rose, Then chariot- wheels — the nearer rush of wings | Pale lightning round the dark pavilion glows. It thunders — the resplendent gates unclose : Far as the eye can glance, on height o'er height, Rise tiery waving wings, and star-crown'd brows, Millions on millions, brighter and more bright, Till all is lost in one supreme, unmingled light. But, two beside the sleeping pilgrim stand, Like cherub-kings, with lifted, mighty plume, Fix'd, sun-bright eyes, and looks of high command ; They tell the patriarch of his glorious doom ; Father of countless myriads that shall come. Sweeping the land like billows of the sea, Bright as the stars of heaven from twilight's gloom, Till He is given whom angels long to see, And Israel's splendid line is crown'd with Deity. I III!; ■|i; i JACOB WRESTLING WITH THE ANGEL. I. Come, O Thou traveller unknown. Whom still I hold, but cannot see 5 My company before is gone, And I am left alone with Thee : With Thee all night I mean to stay, And wrestle till the break of day. 31 I need not tell Thee wlio I am j My misery and sin declare : Thyself hast ctilled me by my name ; Look on Thy hands, and read it there : But who, I ask Thee, who art Thou ? Tell me Thy name, and tell me now. In vain Thou strugglest to get free, I never will unloose my hold ; Art Thou the Man that died for me ? The secret of Thy love unfold : Wrestling, I will not let Thee go, Till I Thy name. Thy nature know. Wilt Thou not yet to me reveal Thy new, unutterable name ? Tell me, I still beseech Thee, tell ? To know it now, resolved I am : Wrestling, I will not let Thee go, Till I Thy name. Thy nature know. What though my shrinking flesh complain^ And murmur to contend so long ? I rise superior to my pain : When I am weak, then I am strong. And when my all of strength shall fail, I shall with the God-man prevail. II. Yield to me now, for I nm weak, But confident in sell df air, Speak to my heart, in lossings speak; Be conquer'd by my instant prayer : Speak, or Thou never hence shalt move. And tell me if Thy name be Love. 'Tis Love! — 'tis Level Thou diedst for mej I hear Thy whisper in my heart : The morning breaks, the shadows flee; Pure, Universal Love, Thou art : To me, to all. Thy bowels nova; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. My prayer hath power with God ; the giaoe Unspeakable I now receive ; Through faith I see Thee face to face ; I see Thee face to face, and live ; In vain I have not wept and strove ; Thy nature and Thy name la Love. 32 mm: I'i, I know Thee, Saviour, who Thou art, Jesus, the feeble sinner's Friend : Nor wilt Thou with the night depart, But stay and love me to the end : Thy mercies never shall remove ; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. The Sun of Righteousness on me Hath risen, with healing on His wings ; Wither'd my nature's strength ; from Thee My soul its life and succor brings ; My help is all laid up above ; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. Contented now upon my thigh I halt, till life's short journey end; All helplessness, all weakness, I On Thee alone for strength depend ; Nor have I power from Thee to move : Thy nature and Thy name is Love. m Lame as I am, I take the prey ; Hell, earth, and sin, with ease o'ercome ; I leap for joy, pursue my way. And, as a bounding hart, liy home ; Through all eternity, to prove Thy nature and Thy name is Love. THE BUIUAL OF JACOB. I . I III! ^i'iil' ; I ! ' t ; l!)» .*! It is a solemn cavalcade, and slow, That comes from Egypt ; never had the land. Save when a Pharaoh died, sucli pomp of woe Beheld ; never was bier by such a band Of princely mourners followed, and the grand Gloom of that strange funereal armament Saddened the wondering cities as it went. In Goshen he had died, that region fair Wliich stretches east from Nilus to the wave Of the great Gulf; and since he could not bear To lay his ashes in an alien grave, Uo chai'ged his sons to bear him to the cave Where slumbered all his kin. that from liie's cares And weariness his dust might rest witli theirs. ^^r 33 For >eventy days through Egypt ran the cry Oi woe, for Joseph wept: and now there came Along with him the rank and chivalry Of Pharaoh's court, — the flower of Egypt's fame; High captains, chief estates, and lords of name, The prince, the priest, the warrior, and the sage, Made haste to join in that sad pilgrimage. The hoary elders in their robes of state Were there, and sceptred judges ; and the sight Of their pavilions pitched without the gate Was })leasant ; chariots with their trappings bright Stood round, — till all were met, and every rite Was paif I ; — then at a signal the array Moved with a heavy spendour on its way. Its very gloom was gorgeous ; and the sound Of brazen chariots, and the measured feet Of stately pacing steeds upon the ground, Seemed, by its dead and dull monotonous beat, A burden to that march of sorrow meet ; With music Pharaoh's minstrels would have come Had Joseph wished, — 'twas better they were dumb. They pass by many a town then famed or feared, But quite forgotten now ; and over ground Then waste, on which in after time were reuied Cities whose names were of familiar sound For centuries, — Bubastus, and reuowned Pelusium, whose glories in decay Gorged the lean desert with a splendid prey. Tlie fiery sons of Ishmael, as they scour The stony glens of Paran with their hor