And thou wert laid within the narrow tomb, [bound The sealed stone confirmed thy mortal doom, Nor th' immeasurable plain Of vast Infinity inclose or circle round. For us, for us, thou didst endure the pain, By saving worlds from sin, Nor aug glory add to thy all-glorious name. FROM "BELSHAZZAR." HYMN. Oh, thou that wilt not break the bruised reed, Teach us to bear thy chastening wrath, oh God! We bless thee, Lord, though far from Judah's land; Though our worn limbs are black with stripes and [chains; Though for stern foes we till the burning sand; And reap, for others' joy, the summer plains; We bless thee, Lord, for thou art gracious still, Even though this last black drop o'erflow our cup of ill! We bless thee for our lost, our beauteous child; The only star that made the stranger's sky less dark! Our dove is fallen into the spoiler's net; Rude hands divide her plumes so chastely white; To the bereaved their one soft star is set, And all above is sullen, cheerless night! But still we thank thee for our transient bliss: As when our Father to mount Moriah led The blessing's heir, his age's hope and joy, Pleased, as he roamed along with dancing tread, Chid his slow sire, the fond, officious boy, And laughed in sport to see the yellow fire Climb up the turf-built shrine, his destined funeral pyre. Even thus our joyous child went lightly on; Her white foot bounded from the pavement stone Like some light bird from off the quivering spray; And back she glanced, and smiled, in blameless glee; The cars, and helms, and spears, and mystic dance to see. By thee, O Lord, the gracious voice was sent Lord, even through thee to hope were now too bold; To think how sad we are, how blest we were! Oh Lord our God! why was she e'er our own? Ah, even our humblest prayers we make repine, Forgive, forgive-even should our full hearts break, Though thy strong hand heavily chastise. Hear all our prayers, hear not our murmurs, Lord; And, though our lips rebel, still make thyself adored. FROM "BELSHAZZAR HYMN. God of the Thunder! from whose cloudy seat God of the Rainbow! at whose gracious sign An Eden blooms in the waste wilderness! And pillared temples rise thy name to bless. O'er Judah's land thy thunders broke, O Lord, Even her foes wept to see her fallen state; For thou didst ride the tempest cloud of fate. |