(flatnell UnitJeraitg Slibrarg BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF HENRY W. SAGE 1891 Cornell University Library PS 1449.C6P2 The Paschal tpoems for Passion-tide and 3 1924 021 994 250 Il f k- \f/ Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924021994250 The Paschal |3oems FOR PASSION-TIDE AND EASTER BY A. CLEVELAND COXE Sect ^gnus ^ei NEW YORK JAMES POTT & COMPANY 1889 fS^ A5(pvn4- CotYRIGH-f, 1889, By a. CLEVELAND COXE. Press of J. J. Little & Co., Astor Place, New York. PREFACE. The poems here collected have been written, nearly all of them, at the Season they celebrate, in successive years. Some of them were written more than forty years ago. The " Paschal New- Moon," if I recollect, is the oldest of the series. All that it may be desirable to say as intro- ductory to this book will be found in the Notes. I beg my kind reader to consult them, on points that may require Scripture citations and other references for the elucidation of the text. If any of the poems are worth reading at all, they will be found worth reading more than once, in con- nection with the Church Lessons of the Season. The Paschal-Season, as here understood, ex- tends from the appearance of the Paschal New- Moon to the octave of Pentecost, or Trinity Sun- day. How sublimely the Christian poet has said — " As through a zodiac moves the ritual year Of Holy Church : stupendous mysteries, Which whoso travels in her bosom eyes. As he approaches them, with solemn cheer.'' This book is designed to open some of those " stupendous mysteries," especially to minds just IV PREFACE. beginning to know and love the Church's system, and to feel the attractions of her holy methods for imparting a knowledge of the Scriptures, and of those "truths that wake to perish never." I pray God that all who accept my guidance in these Scriptural Meditations may be helped by it toward that Heavenly City which the glory of the Lord doth lighten, and " the Lamb is the light thereof." A. C. C. Leacote, Rhinebeck-on-Hudson, April, 1889. CONTENTS. PAGE Proem i The Paschal New-Moon 6 Prophecy g Abel ii Melchizedek 13 The Great High Priest 15 Marah '. 17 The Transfiguration 19 The Garden 22 Spring Rains 25 Paschal Emblems 27 Symbols in Art 30 Hidden Flowers ; 33 The Saviour 36 Scripture Tokens 38 The Day of Palms 40^ Leaven 4g The Well-Spring 51 A Hymn of Faith 53 The Rose of Sharon 59 Holy- Week 61 Messiah 63 Gethsemane 66 The Betrayer 69 The Council 74 Caiaphas 78 Pontius Pilate j ■ . 80 Gabbatha 93 Calvary 96 Following the Lamb 98 The Cross-Bearer 100 The Way of Sorrows 102 VI CONTENTS. PAGE Golgotha 104 The Man of Sorrows 107 The Cross no The Three Crosses 112 The Atonement 116 The Desire of Nations 120 NicoDEMUs 122 The Burial 124 The Sepulchre k6 Easter 129 Easter in the Garden 131 The Easter Eucharist 134 The Bird Song 135 The Butterfly 137 Easter-Eggs . . ^ . 139 The Royal Yarn 143 Easter Virelay ; 147 Song for Easter i 149 Easter in Patmos 151 The Angels on the Ark 154 Rhoda 156 The Walk to Emmaus 159 The Earthquake , 163 The Mystery of Life 167 Eudora ; 170 The Innocents 173 The Unbaptized : 175 Euthanasia 178 A Thought from the Fathers 182 Amaranth 184 The Ascension 1S6 The Unspeakable Gift 188 The Two Pentecosts igo Whitsunday 192 Homeward 194 The Giver of Life 196 The Trinity 195 TO MARY AND ELIZABETH, IN PARADISE. PROEM. The rainbow oft, on tears of April-tide, In the sweet week of Easter, we behold ; Its bow of beauty, like the Crucified Bending from heaven, all nature to enfold In Love's embrace. Then from that throne of gold, 'Mid iris-lustres, in the highest sphere. Seems to bend down its arch of emerolde ; And Paradise, itseemeth very near, As if the dwellers there perchance our sighs might hear. 2. Sweet sisters, in repose ye wear new names. Yet let me dream ye hearken. Once, in time. Ye were my muses, and ev'n more than fame's I courted your applause, in youth's glad prime. When oft ye listened to my boyish rhyme 2 TO MARY AND ELIZABETH. With eyes that shone, as now they shine in bliss. Ah, borne too early to abodes sublime. Fain would I know ye take it not amiss Though angels' songs ye hear — to list a lay like this. • Ye cannot hear my later songs, alas ! Ye dearest ones that deign'd to praise my first : So grieved the Weimar poet, in the glass Of memory gazing on fair forms that nurst His young adventure, ere its blossoms burst In fancy's flowers and fragrance. Such my thought When for these songs, my last — perchance my . worst, I coveted your ear. Yet are they fraught With His dear Name of Names, who our redemp- tion bought. We grew together, lov'd by one whose pride Watched o'er the budding of your loveliness ; Nor knew we, for too soon, alas ! ye died. All that he wrought our tender years to bless. Mingling wise counsel with his fond caress. Wisdom and wit were his, and nature gave His manly heart a maiden's tenderness ; TO MARY AND ELIZABETH. 3 And Christian hope adorns his lowly grave, Where, on the field he fell, Christ's soldier, true and brave. 5- Nor less, while your sweet life was link'd with mine, I shared her love, who o'er your cradle bent And trained your earliest thought to thoughts divine : For oft to me her kindly care was lent In words of cheer, with gentle warning blent, When to the poet's shell I tuned my youth. She loved all arts the soul that ornament. And wing'd her nestlings, like young birds for- sooth. To soar aloft betimes and bask in light and truth. 6. We parted, where the snow-peaks all aglow Shone like an opal, and the setting sun Flamed o'er the Pyrenees, in pleasant Pau, Along the vale where restless Gave doth run : And as we gazed, each an enraptured one, 'Twas well we heard no voices, save our own ; For seem'd our life beginning — when 'twas done ; And with that sunset, oh ! forever flown Are joys so long we knew, and hopes no longer known. 4 TO MARY AND ELIZABETH. 7- Yet may I glean a moral from that day Of parting, and its light o'er mount and glen. For in the Sun's own clime, the poets say He reigns at sunset, wears no crown till then. So goes the adage, too, of meaner men ; The end crowns labour. Welcome life's soft eve ! Who sings the Resurrection cries Amen, As length'ning shadows mark the hour to leave This life's deceitful scene, for scenes that ne'er deceive. 8. Ev'n as a bird forgets its wonted note When death o'ershades its bower, and comes no more The smile that seemed upon its song to dote. So when ye slept, my listless hand gave o'er And lost its cunning ; for I grieved heart-sore, Tuneless my shell and unfulfilled my dream. Now, faith reproacheth that I thus forbore ; Wake, languid shell nor moan, by Babel's stream ; Wake, from the willows wake, to Faith's trans- porting theme. 9- Yes, wake my soul, in swan-like notes to sing Of that blest home, where, nevermore to die, TO MARY AND ELIZABETH. 5 To them that slept comes Life's eternal spring, Where Love enthron'd all human tears shall dry, Hearts claim their kin and brightens eye to eye. Sweet sisters, ye are safe. For me, how rife Perils of conflict, ev'n as years draw nigh That bring the grateful furlough after strife. And shines our even-star, the dawn of deathless life. THE PASCHAL NEW-MOON. Welcome thou little bow of light. Faint gleaming in the Western height O'er Day's decline ! Thou, to the busy world of men, Art but the month begun again ; But to this eye of mine Lighted by Faith's diviner ken, A season and a sign. Welcome, reflected in the rill. Thine image on the waters, chill From melting snows : But brighter, in the depths serene. Of my glad soul, thy sacred sheen The Church's index shows ; Regent of holy-tides, and Queen Of Easter's dawn and close. 3- Thou hast been waited for : the lore Of holy sages, long before Hath marked thy day : THE PASCHAL NEW-MOON. For with thy heavenly march sublime, The Paschal-eve and Paschal-prime One Lord, one law, obey ; The Church hath calendar'd thy time. And traced thy starry way. 4- And key-note of her Easter-song, Is thy sweet tune, thy path along In yon blue deep : We watch thy crescent, till its rim Is filled with glory to the brim. And still our fast we keep ; Then, tide-like, swells our Easter-hymn, Round the whole earth to sweep. 5- Thou bringest cheer ; thou endest days Of fast with feast, of plaint with praise. Of rue with balni. Beauty for ashes thou dost bring ; The oil of joy for sorrowing ; For grief thou bringest calm ; Thou changest tears to triumphing, And Litany to Psalm. 6. The bow of Joseph, thou ! Thy light Reminds me of the Hebrew's right And Egypt's wrong ; THE PASCHAL NEW-MOON. Reminds me of Mosaic priests. Their hyssop-branch, their bleeding beasts, The prophet's goodly throng ; Their bitter herbs, unleavened feasts. And hallelujah-song : 7- Reminds me of that night of gloom ; The Twelve, the One, the upper-room ; The Bread and Wine : Of Olivet remindeth me, Of Kedron and Gethsemane ; Of Thee, Redeemer mine ! Thy cross. Thy cries. Thy victory, Stupendous love divine. O Paschal moon, to wax and wane. Though short thy date, how wide thy reign Afar and near. Thou art the Church's harvest-moon : She sows in tears, but reapeth, soon, A sheaf for every tear. Shine on ! We catch thy heavenly tune, And shout the harvest-cheer. PROPHECY. Her seed shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. — Genesis, iii. 15. Sweet spring-, from clefts of Eden's Rock, Fresh'ning its meads that poured, Grateful to man and herd and flock. And birds that stooped and soared; Bright rill, whcse waters crystal-clear Ev'n Silo's fount excelled. And sent, meand'ring far and near, Broad brooks thenceforth that well'd : 2. Oh ! fount of life to slake our thirst. Four mighty streams that fed ; Fair Paradise that water'd first. Then parted, from each head. To East and West and South and North, Bestowing health and youth, I joy to view, as from their birth. Those streams of Light and Truth ! PROPHECY. 3- Streams that are one as on they flow, From age to age the same, Yet broader and more glorious grow, Rivers of Life their name; Refreshing earth, reflecting skies That smile above and shine. Till, in the better Paradise, They lose their flood divine. Sweet parable of promised grace, The serpent's head to crush ; I love th' unnumber'd rills to trace That from that Promise gush ; To see how confluent words of love Enlarge their onward tide ; And how, as to that sea above, The waters grow and glide ; 5- How prophecy becomes, at last, The Gospel in its strength. Flooding the world, and forth and fast To heavenward speeds, at length ; How in that ocean, boundless all. Where faith is turned to sight, The streams of truth and promise fall And lose themselves in light. ABEL. By it, he being dead, yet speaketh.— Heb. xi. 4. 'Tis at fair Eden's gate, where bright Shine the rapt cherubim, And waves that flaming blade of light, Barring the way to Him Whose fiery Law hath set the sword. Whose Love the reconciling Word. 2. Who shall that gate of glory ope And Paradise unbar ? Behold the Promised Seed, our Hope ; Of Life the Morning-Star : Whose symbol is a lamb that died, With spotless fleece our shame to hide. 3- Lo ! first of woman born, appear Brothers in manly youth. And to that golden gate draw near. Where Mercy shines, and Truth. Time's earliest Paschal-tide to keep. One brings the choicest of his sheep. ABEL. 4- Anon, their votive altars rise : Faith's altar Abel rears, And binds the lamb of sacrifice With contrite prayer and tears ; While for atoning love he pleads. And views the mystic lamb that bleeds. 5- ■ Forth flames the fire of love divine, But, of those altars twain. On one alone its glories shine : Cold is the pile of Cain, Where, piled with gourds and berries crude, God may partake a sinner's food. 6. Cold is the heart of unbelief That spurns the bleeding Lamb. But hot is envious hate, and brief Its slighted conscience-qualm. Abel, faith's earliest martyr, dies, Yet lives and speaks his sacrifice. 7- Oh ! dread rehearsal, long before Of Calv'ry's darker day. When the Good Shepherd came and bore In death our sins away ; When envious hate, with deeper stain, Renewed the sacrifice of Cain. MELCHIZEDEK. He was the Priest of the Most High God. — Genesis, xiv. i8. Out of the mist of ages comes, unknown. His crown'd and mitred mien. Who evermore, a Priest upon His throne. Shall live and reign serene : The King of righteousness His sceptre shews, While palms and olives near the Prince of Peace disclose. And Father Abraham bends and bows before One greater far than He ; Forth come the Bread and Wine, prefiguring more Than feeble sense may see : The offer'd tithes His sacrifice proclaim, And His High-priesthood own of everlasting Name. 3- Thus Abraham saw Christ's day. The man of woes Is Salem's mystic king ; 14 MELCHIZEDEK. The King of Righteousness whose names discloi Of Peace the Prince and spring: The wine-press, for our thirst, who comes tread, And for our hungering souls to breal< the Livir Bread. THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST. A Priest upon his throne. — Zech. vi. 13. 'Mid Alpine peaks, a hoary height and lone Oft makes the morn its crown, Bright o'er the mists. So shines the heavenly throne Where Abram's faith bows down, And comes — tremendous Name — -God's own High Priest, With faith's mysterious feast. Unsired, Unborn, the Wonderful and dread, He brings forth Wine and Bread, Which, on that spot, he means to give afresh, Disclosed at last and known, th' Eternal Word made flesh. In Salem's upper-room, that awful night. See One with twelve recline. With bitter herbs they keep the Paschal rite ; Then takes He Bread and Wine. Think, O my soul, 'tis He, the very same, Melchizedek His Name, 1 6 THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST. The Man that is God's fellow, from of yore, All human priests before, Whom Abram met and own'd mankind's Desire Who blest that faithful man of faithful men th Sire. 3- We, then, his sons, as Father Abraham bent. To Salem's Prince bow down ; To Salem's Great High Priest our souls present And own His Cross and Crown. His pierced hands we kiss, and pierced feet ; For offertory meet, Our alms, our hearts, ourselves bestow, And all our pride down throw, Athirst for God, and crying to be fed Lord give us ever more Thyself, the Living Breac 4- For Oh ! once more, where thrones confess th shock. Our eyes shall see the same. Ancient of Days, of ages the great Rock, Who comes on wheels of flame ! Serene He reigns o'er earth and earthly things, The Lord, and King of Kings ; And sits, a priest upon His throne, Th' unchanging priest and lone The Order of Melchizedek sublime Before all worlds who bore, and bears beyond s time. MARAH. The waters of Marah were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah And the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet. — Exod. xv. 23-25. The Branch that sweetens Marah's wells, Of Mary and Messiah tells : How she, whom all mankind shall bless. Yet shared our nature's bitterness. Till He, upon her breast that lay. Took the sad taint of Eve away. 2. Hark ! o'er the ErythrSan main, 'Tis Miriam's timbrel flings the strain. Prelusive, to the faithful ear, Of Mary's song and rapture clear ; For Miriam's name and Miriam's woe Alike the taintless Maid foreshow. 3- The Sun with healing in His wings, The Branch from David's root that springs, MARAH. Of Gilead's Tree the spicy fare, The balm and the Physician there. To Marah and to Miriam give The touch that bids the leper live. Mysterious tokens, from afar That antedate Messiah's Star, The rapt Magnificat foretell. And shew the Branch to Israel, Who reigns and speaketh from the Tree, I am the Lord that healeth thee. THE TRANSFIGURATION. Moses and Elias appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.— St. Luke, ix. 31. TRAN.SFIGURED on the height, Ere yet two thieves between, Betwixt two saints in light. Behold the Nazarene. Behold the Lowly One, In vesture like the snow, And glistening like the sun. In glory's noontide glow. From Pisgah's grave atar, 'Tis Moses hovering here, And from his fiery car Elijah comes anear : By saints of ancient names. From seats of heav'nly rest. For Peter, John, and James, Messiah reigns confest. THE TRANSFIGURATION. 3- Hear Him, th' Incarnate Word, Words from high heaven declare ; Son of the Living Lord, His Well-Beloved Heir. Yet talk with Him the twain Of death, reproach and loss, Of thorns and nails the pain, Of wormwood and the Cross. 4- Where naught the faithless eye But shame and death can see. These holy ones descry O'er death his victory : For, in that dazzling blaze. The true Shekinah sheen. Outshining noontide's rays. The Cross transformed is seen. They talk with Him of death, Like those who sing the psalm With harps, and trumpets' breath. Of Moses and the Lamb : Breaks forth St. Peter's tongue, He seems to heaven so near. As if response were sung, 'Tis blessed to be here. THE TRANSFIGURATION. 6. Soon shall this scene recall Those blest apostles three, When bends the God of all, In dark Gethsemane : When, of the Lord of Life, The bloody sweat they scan, And horrours gathering rife Around the Son of Man. 7- Dejected, yet sustained, In that mysterious hour. Scattered, but yet regained, When rises Christ with power, How joys the little flock In Tabor's light to see. Of ages the great Rock, The Lamb of Calvary. THE GARDEN. They heard the voice of God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day.— Gen. iii. 8. The flowers are zealous Christians in our clime, And oft with their sweet selves they seem to vie, Upspringing, as with holy rivalry, Which shall look cheerfulest at Easter-time. Therefore, to me, all gardens in the spring, Seem Joseph's garden, with religion rife ; Full of the Resurrection and the Life ; Of teachings full and holy worshipping. 3- Blest be the darling crocus in its birth. That from its icy sepulchre doth burst Full of divine ambition to be first Of all God's flowers, in holy Easter-mirth. 4. And blest the hyacinth, of varied dyes. That forth, all fragrance from a rotten root. Like grace from nature's misery, doth shoot, In the bright season when the Lord did rise. THE GARDEN. 23 5- Yea, blessed be all flowers that come in time To deck the Paschal altar; violet, Snowdrop, and arbutus, and mosses wet From rills that cheer the forest with their chime. 6. There, 'mid the new-sprung grass, I love to walk. Or where the upland wood in tender green Of its first verdure, like a mist is seen. Fringing each tiny shrub and wintry stalk ; 7. Where every sunbeam lights a miracle, The clothing of each cold unsightly thing, The spreading of the hills with carpeting, The garnishing of moor and rock and fell ; 8. Where near at hand, or down the vista opes The view of earliest blossoms, red and white, 'Mid tints of leafy emerald, dark and light, And the sun's gilding on the hilly slopes; Where o'er the landscape everything I see Impatient of its deadness, and with power Asserting life in its appointed hour. True to God's call, with wondrous energy : 24 THE GARDEN. lO. So, walking in the garden, heard God's voice Our fallen parents, but they heard with fear ; While we, redeemed, exult His call to hear. And with all nature in His smile rejoice. II. For who, that lives by faith in his true heart, Knows not the meaning of returnieg Spring, Lifts not toward heaven the soul's aspiring wing. Longs not thus upward dovelike to depart ? 12. Oh ! shame, when flowers are Christians and athirst With all their beauty to adorn the Feast, That Christian men should oft be last and least. Though bidden to the marriage-supper first. SPRING RAINS. There went up a mist . . . and watered the whole face of the ground. And the Lord God formed man.— Gen. ii. 6, 7. The showers of April on the violet's bed, And on the earliest snowdrop's drooping head, And on the new-sprung blade Of promised harvest, shed — How fragrant have they made Each breeze of the sweet morn that round our home hath played ! So every joy of home and love and life, The tender love of mother, sister, wife. The bliss that children bring To cheer this mortal strife And Time's o'ershadowing wing ; These give their fragrance forth in Christ alone, our Spring. 3- 'Tis His baptismal shower of love and grace. Brings forth from dearest friendship's fond em- brace, And from sweet kindred's ties. 26 SPRING RAINS. And answering face to face With commerce of kind eyes, The perfume that is best, and all that deepest lies. 4- None know what loves, none know what friend- ships mean. Save they whose life in Christ is hfd serene, Who live and love in Him ! Only such love, I ween. Grows bright as eyes grow dim. And lives' beyond the grave among the Seraphim. PASCHAL EMBLEMS. Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Him- self. — St. Luke, xxiv. 27. I. O WHY to those whose art might rainbows throw On clouds and shadows of the Law — so rare Is given the heart to sketch in colours fair, Those golden parables the Scriptures show ? Deem not St. Luke the first our Lord to paint ; For in the Prophets, as in diadems That flash and sparkle with imperial gems, I see His beauty crowned, nor dim nor faint. 3- And were the pencil mine it should express How, year by year, the Holy Week meseems A vision multiform,, wherein, like dreams. Angels appear, 'mid bowers of loveliness. 4- And dullest wits should warm and generous grow The tap'stry work of Scripture to perceive ; Not thread by thread, but as they interweave Messiah's image, first and last, to show. 28 PASCHAL EMBLEMS. 5- Not of His glorious countenance one trace Would I of painters borrow. That, for me, Shines out in His Evangel, even as He To those who love Him would reveal His face. 6. But the red rood in colours would I shrine And glorify ; as, 'mid the stars, alone, That cross shall glitter when the trump is blown ; Ev'n as it glitter'd once to Constantine. 7- And as a portrait is with brilliants set, I would enrich that sign, beneath, above. And all around, with emblems of God's love. Entwined with arabesque and quaint vignette. 8. Eve's fig-leaves should be figured, sere and strown, Poor human arts to hide our sin and shame ; And coats of skins, whose fleecy snows pro- claim The Lamb can clothe the sinner ; He alone. PASCHAL EMBLEMS. 29 And Cain's oblation, that high heaven offends, Melons and gourds Faith's sacrifice should mock, While, on the firstling of blest Abel's flock. The fire of God, in flaming love, descends. 10. On Jacob's dying eye each form that rose And kindled rapture would I trace around ; There should the Shepherd and the Stone be found. And Joseph bleeding 'mid his archer foes. While in far vision, half assuming shape, Should Judah's blessing ante-date the day That from His vine unbinds and leads away The ass's foal, and presses its red grape. 12. And there that Rock should rise, engrav'd of yore With Paschal emblems, by the Uzzian's hand. That he who runs might read and understand — Our dear Redeemer lives, for evermore. SYMBOLS IN ART. A LIGHT that shineth in a dark place, until the Day dawn and the Day-star arise. — 2 Peter, i. ig. In an old castle, 'neath the Pyrenees — I see ev'n now each height Glitt'ring with opal light, And the rich meads below, the river and the trees ; In that old castle, thro' long corridors. The guide me led, one day, As 'twere thro' history's way. Where the dead past revived sad loves and bitter wars. 3- Behind the arras of a lordly hall He brought me, and I stood A moment in deep mood, Where once th' assassin lurked, close crouching by the wall. SYMBOLS IN ART. 3! 4- Behind the tap'stry, in a dubious light, Its rougher side I read, Just making out a head, A hand, and what ? 'twas hard to read aright. 5- And yet, methought, a figure on a hill Seemed glittering like a shrine. As if some grand design Were hidden in the woof, but half emerging still. 6. Blindly I strove its story to descry, Its hero or its scheme ; But, as in mystic dream, I felt Messiah's form was on that mountain high. 7- I felt, but could not see ; for me defied Crewel and scarlet thread 'Mid golden gleams or red. Those traces faint and rude of Art's untoward side. But when I came that tap'stried hall within. Full flash'd, with wondrous sheen. The whole transporting scene : How on my vision blest it shone like Moses' skin ! 32 SYMBOLS IN ART. 9- Brighter than Moses' face, in morning light Messiah's form I viewed;. And what before was crude Came out in full design, as day deposes night. No more I spell'd and groped some clue to find 'Mid weavings deftly wrought ; Clear was the artist's thought. Who could not see it all, his eyes indeed were blind. II. And as I went, this moral deep I drew : Ev'n so, of Holy Writ So dark to human wit, And those twin Testaments, the Old and New, 12. The Myst'ry is made plain ; who runs may read. Even on the side severe Messiah's signs appear. Though faintly, in the Law, we trace the Prom- ised Seed. 13- Yet as in these old patterns of the loom, Of yore the prophets wove Their tapestry of Love ; Who scans the Gospel-side sees what they meant and Whom. HIDDEN FLOWERS. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. When o'er the Spirit's words I pore intent. My soul is like a maid That goes a-Maying in the woodland shade, Her peering eye down bent. To spy here, there and everywhere, the flower That most she covets for her own bright bower. So everywhere I seek, and always find, The fragrant thing I prize, The flower of flowers, whose beauty in mine eyes Surpasseth every kind Of plant or gem, or creature blest with grace, As childhood with its smiles, or woman's face. 3- I find, as violets are found in Spring, Stones and dead leaves amid. But all too bright and fragrant to be hid, Ev'n so that blessed thing Where all seems lifeless if our faith be dim, The name of jESUS, or some trace of Him. 3 34 HIDDEN FLOWERS. I find my Saviour in the Rock ; the fount That gushes from its deft ; In the cross'd hands of Jacob, right and left, In Moses' Burning Bush and fiery Mount, In Bread, in Wine, in wood, in nails, in thorns. In every figure that the Psalms adorns. S- And when there pass, athwart the scenery- dread Of the rapt prophet's dream. Mysterious shadows, flecking the sunbeam With something dark and undistinguished, As in the wood that made the iron swim, So, in the cloud, I still see only Him. In Miriam's song 'tis Mary's voice I hear ; And Marah's bitter well Sweet'ned by that fresh Branch of Israel, Is the foul pool of nature made sincere In Mary's womb; by Him she did conceive. The Second Adam, born of the new Eve. Nor, as my foot along the desert shore Treads in old Israel's way. Beneath that fire by night and cloud by day, Fails my fond heart to find, as I explore. HIDDEN FLOWERS. 35 The sands beneath me sparkling with His love, Ev'n as those symbols of His Truth above. So, when in Elim's grateful shade I bait, The good Physician nigh, I count the wells of health that spring hard by. And then the trees that bear the luscious date. And find the Seventy, in that grove of palm. Beside the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 9- 'Tis sweet to trace the Gospel in the Law ; Faint outlines and obscure Like the first crayon traits of portraiture, Which the great Masters were enforced to draw, Ere in the amber light of art divine Transfigured Christ might on their canvas shine. So ever, as the Book of Life I scan, Still be my soul a maid Seeking the flower she loves in sun and shade. I'd rather shout with Eve — "I've found THE Man," Four thousand years too soon, than live or die Without the Faith that breathed in that fond cry. THE SAVIOUR. Thou shall call His Name JOSHUA, for He shall save. The serpent's head to bruise whose heel shall bleed ? What shall His Name be called — that Promised Seed? The oracles were dark. Yet oft that name was heard as from the cur- tained Ark. " Tell me thy Name," the wrestling Jacob cries : " Why dost thou ask my Name ? " the Word re- plies. And Jacob spake, o'erawed — " This place is Peniel : I saw the face of God." 3- " Thy name no more henceforth shall Jacob be. But prince of God, for thou hast power with Me — " So spake that tongue of flame ; And Israel knew 'twas God, even from his own new name. THE SAVIOUR. 37 4- Saviour and God ! a mystic name that weaves Both words in one, the Son of Nun receives As leader of God's band — Where Moses could not lead — into the Promised Land. S- Yet, on that Paschal Eve, at Canaan's door. Comes the true Captain of God's host. Before That Joshua divine The meaner Joshua kneels, a shadow and a s,ign. 6. Comes the true Joshua now, the Virgin's Son, That Saving Name of the Anointed One Unfolds prophetic art ; And Mary kept such things and pondered in her heart. 7- Back on the Pentateuch like morning's fire His coming flashes light ; and David's lyre. Like Moses' face that shined. Glows with the Saviour's name in mystic words enshrined. 8. As mountains dull thro' all the silent night Glitter at dawn and show their crests in light. So everywhere that Name Forth from the prophets starts, as in the Day- star's flame. SCRIPTURE TOKENS. When Moses is read the veil is upon their hearts. SoiME fail Messiah's radiant signs to see In each prophetic scroll Which the old rabbins of the Law unroll. They read the page of mystic history, The flaming Psalm, or Canticle benign. As though 'twere human lore, and not divine. Forgive poor Israelites when souls baptized God's glorious Word explore. To grope and feel their way and find no more Than the blind leaders of the circumcised, Where Israelites-indeed with rapture scan The Son of God, the promised Son of Man. So everywhere th' anointed eye descries A greater Solomon, A nobler David, the Almighty One Whom Abraham saw with Faith's uplifted eyes. For not in feasts alone, but, day by day, The Scripture, as with sunshine, cheers our way. SCRIPTURE TOKENS. 39 And me, Christ's footprints striving oft to trace, As following wliere He led. By old prophetic symbols comforted And plodding onward as with patient pace — Me oft a rapture seizes — when I view Some veil withdrawn — faith making all things new. As where they wash the glitt'ring sands for gold In bright Golconda's mines. Oft 'mid the sparkling grains a diamond shines. Which the well-shaken sieve with greed must hold; It cannot pass, it is so great a thing — And then 'tis claimed for tribute to the king : So, when some word in Holy Writ shines out, Dazzling my ardent sight. As 'twere that Indian gem, the Mount-of-Light, I claim it for my King. 'Tis Christ's, no doubt; For claim it lawfully what mortal can ? 'Tis far beyond the measure of a man. THE DAY OF PALMS. Thy King cometh unto thee ; He is just and having sal. vation : lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass. — Zech. ix. 9. I. The Paschal-moon proclaims the Feast is nigh, Whose sign in heaven the faithful still obey ; And as she sails through airy waves on high. Cleaving the clouds that break like ocean's spray. My soul, like her, finds out its heavenly way, And walks with God. I taste Siloam's spring ; While the high service of this holy day. This Feast of Palms, prolongs my worshipping. And all that scene brings back of Salem's tri- umphing. 2. A light on Zion of the Spring's sweet morn Is glistening from the Temple's every spire ; An early crowd through each high gate is borne, And thronging pilgrims, with insane desire. Hither and thither, for their way inquire. Urged by some strange alarm, they know not why ; The truant boy runs past, with soul on fire; And Judah's mothers, as the surge goes by, Strain o'er the long highways a vaguely vacant eye. THE DAY OF PALMS. 4I 3- " Ho, child ! what makes thee from thy tasks to-day ? " " Nay, blame me not, thou reverend Saddu- cee. The world goes out to meet Him, for they say The Nazarene draws nigh. Nay, hark ! 'tis He Outside the Sheep-gate ; do not hinder me ! Thou, too, shouldst see Him. With a word He can Cast out the devils, still the raging sea, And lately He upcalled a buried man That had been four days dead ! Hark ! " cried the boy, and ran. 4- All this — while bitter Rabbins heard to spurn. And mocked with sneers the idly prating wight — A ruler heard and felt within him burn The soul that communed once with Christ by night. 'Twas Nicodemus; taught to frame aright The urchin's babble, its intent he knew. Anon, upon the Temple's massive height, Musing and lonely, stood that noble Jew ; There let us stand with him, and all the pageant view. 42 THE DAY OF PALMS. 5- Along the vale, and down green Olivet, Judsea's peasants come in straggling throng ; And one among them on a beast is set. In lowly state, yet passing meek along. Loudly they chaunt ; and now the mellowed song. By starts, upon the fitful breeze upswells. Unwonted strains the echoing cliffs prolong ; That rapt hosanna, 'mid Moriah's dells, Alike strange things recalls and stranger things foretells. 6. Yestreen the Sabbath closed. To-day the rocks Resound with bleatings ; from the emptied fold The little lambs, in droves and frighted flocks. Are led to bleed like Abel's lamb of old. Another Lamb comes with them; and behold ! While bitter herbs are for the Paschal bought, Tokens abound, and symbols manifold. That ne'er before unleavened bread was sought. Or hyssop from the wall, with like fulfilment fraught. 7- For yonder crowd upsends the very word That long agone was heard from Zachary, Bidding Jerusalem behold her Lord, And promising His coming thus should be Majestical, in meek humility. THE DAY OF PALMS. 43 Hosanna ! Yes, the very stones outcry; And shall the tribes of Jacob sullenly Refuse hosannas, when, before their eye, The Son of David comes, and God Himself draws nigh ? 8. 'Tis thy last Paschal, Salem ; fallings fed And turtle-doves anon shall cease to bleed; For he that thus to sacrifice is led Is Abra'm's Lord and Eve's expected Seed. He that makes all things new for human need Comes like the sheep before her shearers dumb To bear the thorny crown and barren reed ; Yes, this is He — amid the city's hum. The patient Paschal Lamb that sayeth — Lo, I come. 9- Though speechless He, thus, to the hurtling crowd Whispers the Spirit ; while from palm and bay They tear green spoils to bear, before Him bowed, And fragrant things to strew His royal way: And clambering youth wave branches freshly gay, Of peaceful olive o'er the Prince of Peace. Oh, Paradise ! so waves each palmy spray Thy shining legions bear, in sweet release Where swells the Paschal Hymn that never more shall cease. 44 THE DAY OF PALMS. All this, the while, full many a faithless eye From roof and terrace, faithless still, hath seen ; And dull Herodians, trembling at the cry Of Pilate's minions, seek what this may mean. For now, emerging from the deep ravine. The pomp hath passed within the ponderous gate. From porch and jealous lattice forth they lean. Mother and maiden; hoary fathers wait. Uplifting shrivelled hands, to view this kingly state. "Back, brawling .slave. While Caesar is your king This shall not be,'' a mailed centurion said, And struck to earth- a youth, that, clamouring He knew not what, his errant comrades led. " What next ? " a Levite breathed, and shook his head ; A Roman knight came prancing by and sneered; A flaunting Pharisee deep curses shed On vulgar skulls, whileas a lawyer leered ; And close at hand — 'twas He — the Nazarene appeared. 12. The foal unloosed from Judah's vine he rides. But low derision frights the stumbling beast. THE DAY OF PALMS. 45 One cries : " A cross is scored on asses' hides : " "Yes, mark that token well," responds a priest. " Nay, father ! so 'twas prophesied, at least, Our King should ride," rejoined one gentle tongue. 'Twas hers that poured the spikenard at the feast. And o'er His feet with streaming tresses hung, That, much forgiven, loved much, and thus to Jesus clung. 13- Stand thou within this portal, and thine eyes Shall see Melchizedek, of ancient day. Lo ! on the ass's foal, in lowliest guise. The Man that is God's fellow ! Breathless stay. And wait with throbbing heart till comes this way The Man of Sorrows. Yes, He draweth near. O God ! I cannot look without dismay : His youth is old, and on His cheek the tear Hath early worn full deep the marks of many a year. 14- Mercy and Majesty ! I see God's face In this the Son of Man. Divinest thought Hath in His front its unmistaken trace. And His mild eye with Love immense is fraught. While the shorn lamb is thus to slaughter brought. 46 THE DAY OF PALMS. And bulls of Basan roar with maddened men. Joy lights the scribe's dark brow to see Him caught In toils full deftly spread. Why thus, again, Where late they took up stones, seeks He their wolfish den ? 15- " Hosanna to the Son of David ! " Yes, The shouting people know not what they mean ; Yet oft the voice of man doth God's express, And as o'er chaos moved the Dove serene. So oft in tumult is the Spirit seen. Hosanna ! let the Temple open wide Her golden gates, thrice-blessed Nazarene, To welcome Thee, whom prophets glorified; For Shiloh is thy name; the sceptre thine beside. 1 6. So to His Temple came the Holy One ; And He who heeded not the people's cheers, When lisping babes proclaim Him David's Son, How tenderly their infant tongues He hears ! His kindly voice their cherub voices cheers. And, while blaspheming priests with bitter tongue Repress the chorus, lo ! with loving tears He owns their homage, long by seers fore-sung. The perfect praise and pure of babes and suck- lings young. THE DAY OF PALMS. 47 17- Nor marvel thou if on the backs abhorr'd Of thieves, that chaffer'd in the House of Prayer, Sounded the threshings of that whip of cord, Proclaiming that the Temple's Lord was there : So Judah's Lion riseth from his lair. Meanwhile the Lamb in all His features shone, And that same hour, more wont man's woes to bear. He healed the sick, assuaged the sufferer's moan. Leper and blind and lame — all sorrows but His own. Oh ! Lamb of God, that tak'st our sins away, So moved the Infinite within Thy breast. With myst'ries from before Creation's Day, Thus to take part in our poor world's unrest ; For our relief to be Thyself distressed, For man's release to be the victim bound ! Trembling, I worship, my Redeemer blest; For not, like Thomas, would I probe Thy wound. Or that abyss explore whose fathom ne'er was found. 19. Yet bid me meet Thee, from the tomb un- sealed. And walking to F.mmaus ; like a coal 48 THE DAY OF PALMS. To feel my heart burn in me, when reveal'cl I see the Law's dread page, the prophet's scroll. And trace Thy tokens down from Eden's goal : For thus is purged from rheums and scales as vile Man's skeptic eye, and parables unroll And Psalms unfold Thy Name — each weary mile Of those that walk with Thee to brighten and beguile. 20. But lo ! the Paschal moonbeam from the East On Kedron's rill sheds holy influence bright ; Now cleanse their platters Pharisee and priest. Their hearts fermenting still with Cain's despite. Their leaven of malice taints the legal rite. For Joseph's breth'ren hate him. He afar flath gone where Martha's kindly lamp gives light, And Mary listens with enrapt Lazar, Till shines o'er Bethany once more the Morning Star. LEAVEN. Not the leaven of bread.— St. Matt. xvi. 12. I. The moon is full, the moon shines fair ; The feast is nigh ; of leaven beware ! Unleavened bread be Judah's care. 2. One crumb of leaven, it taints the whole So reads the great Law-giver's scroll. Confirm 'd by Sinai's thunder-roll. 3- Ye sons of Jacob stand aloof From Gentile tables ; make sure proof Of house and home from floor to roof 4- Scour cup and platter. Leave no trace ; Scrape, purge and every spot efface. Lest leaven be there, so bad and base ! S- Outside so clean, but all within Fermenting malice, crime and sin ; So did th' unleavened days begin. 6. The leaven of bread is put aside. But envy, hate, and guile abide, For Jesus must be crucified ! 50 LEAVEN. 7- They would not enter Pilate's hall : 'Twould leaven and defile them all. Horrours, to think of such a fall ! So taught the scribes, and wonder we Such blind and senseless rites to see : We marvel at the Pharisee. We marvel ; but ourselves, the while. Doth naught of that old leav'n defile ? Of malice naught — nor hate, nor guile ? lo. How dare we. Shepherd of the sheep. With Thee our Passover to keep, Unpurified from stains as deep ? Gracious the Lent and blest the week. If steadfast, and in duty meek. Sincerity and truth we seek. So may we joy to keep the Feast, From chains of sin and shame released. With Thee our Prophet, King, and Priest. THE WELL-SPRING. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O Well. — Numb. xxi. 17. I. The great Law-giver smote the Rock : Forth gushed the waters at the shock, And Israel drank the wave, as 'twere a shep- herd's flock : Spring up, O Well ! 2. Nor ceased that Rock to slake their thirst ; It followed them as at the first. Where'er they went afresh the Rock would burst: Spring up, O Well ! 3- No servile toil to dig the sands ! But nobles, with their sceptred hands Struck the parched soil and spake their mild commands : Spring up, O Well ! 4- Their princes pierced the arid plain, And gushed the hidden springs amain ; While Israel's daughters danced and sang the strain — Spring up, O Well ! 52 THE WELL-SPRING. 5- That Rock was Christ the Crucified ; Nor, till the soldier pierced His side, Knew they what Well of Life it signified : Spring- up, O Well ! 6. And still along Life's desert way That Rock yet follows us each day : We ope that streaming font where'er we pray- Spring up, O Well ! The babe that to the font they bring Invokes again the hidden Spring ; Those rosy lips, had they but words, would sing : Spring up, O Well ! The priest, that in the utmost lands Before the Christian altar stands. Says, o'er the crimson'd cup uplifting hands — Spring up, O Well ! 9- Oh! then, to cleanse my soul begin, Bath of my soul, from shame and sin : And that I thirst no more, spring up within ; Spring up, O Well ! A HYMN OF FAITH. How are the dead raised up ? and with what body do they come ? — I Cor. .xv. 35. How can these things be ? — St. John, iii. 9. I do not exercise myself in great matters which are too high for me. — Ps. cxxxi. 2. There are, like that old Pharisee by night, Who talk, in darkness, with the Light of Light, Answering, like cuckoos, to each mystery — How can it be ? How are the dead raised up ? — as 'twere in strife With Him, the Resurrection and the Life ; As if no mystery to sight and thought Were daily brought ! But me, content, the Psalmist's rule restrains. And from presumptuous words my soul refrains, Happy may I but live, all undefiled, A weaned child. 54 A HYMN OF FAITH. 4- For base, at best, that impudence of doubt, That mocks the Infinite, with searching out; As if Who wrought of Nature the deep plan Were weak as Man. S- I would not be more wise than what is writ. In things that are too high for human wit, Sublimer far to own th' unbounded Vast Around us cast ; 6. Where oft, like men of lore who read the face Of spangled Night, I seem to feel in space New worlds, that were not made for mortal eye, To Faith draw nigh. 7- Nor would I follow where, if man hath trod. Or mounted as on waxen wings to God, Perchance he ventured towards the throne — too near For holy fear. There is a holiest of the holies— where The seraphs veil their faces, nor would dare Look curious upward : for the Holy One Outshines the sun. A HYMN OF FAITH. 55 9- Stone-blind the bard — too bold of mind and eyes Who there presumed in fancy's flight to rise — Stone-blind he turn'd : yet sung of Eden's prime In dream sublime. Perchance he err'd, ev'n dreaming, so to blend With truth his fable, as if truth to mend. Nor yet, like Dante, would I pass below. Where spirits go. II. Not me the sibyl's bough or lips should win Profanely venturing, with the dead in sin. To follow Virgil and the Florentine 'Mid depths unseen. 12. For oh ! what better things, from pride concealed, Glorious and vast are to the meek revealed : How oft of Heaven we gain what we forego By stooping low. 13- How oft, in God's stupendous book, unroll Tokens of things unseen, that lift my soul Out of earth's dross, beyond this life of sense, To realms immense ! S6 A HYMN OF FAITH. ■How sweet in childlike love to meet Thy test ; Because Thyself I know, to trust the rest ; Because Thou mak'st eternity mine own, Much to postpone. IS- Not less where Science bids her tapers burn It me delights with her to muse and learn, Discov'ring more and more, in Nature's plan. That humbles man. 1 6. For He who all things made, makes all things new ; Makes bare His works to prove His word most true ; Upbraids our sloth and saith to sense and sight : Let there be Light. 17- Hail ! childlike Wisdom, hail Elect of men Who range through space, as 'twere with angel's ken. Yet own how all that makes progressive lore Faith knows before. A Holy Ark fast closed ! 'Neath Nature's lid. What worlds of wonder unattained lie hid ! Sure, of all knowledge and all truth — the key Is knowing Thee : A HYMN OF FAITH. 57 19. Is knowing Thee, of Love the Bleeding Lamb ; Is iinowing Thee, th' unsearchable I Am ; Is in the soul thy seven-fold gifts to shrine. Spirit Divine. 20. Thine the true Science, Thine the rainbows bright On Newton's glass where falls one ray of light ; For God is Light, and light in reason's noon Is found triune. 21. Hail, star-eyed Science ! Welcome to the choir Where saints with Seraphim attune the lyre ! Welcome the seer august who comes to prove God's earth doth move : Whose reverent thought, baptiz'd in heavenly dews. Not less the Moving Hand discerns and views; Discovers, as he scans the starry zone. That naught is known : 23- Naught but faint whispers from Eternity : While dark and deep abides the shoreless sea, Where gleans the sage some shells from Na- ture's verge. Hard by its surge. 58 A HYMN OF FAITH. 24. Thus let us deal with matter as 'tis meet. 'Tis naught but ashes under Faith's firm feet, Naught but the nest where grows the Phoenix- wing Soon forth to spring : 25. Naught but the cottage frail of moulded clay Whose shatter'd walls let in some light of day ; Where yearns the soul in life and light to soar, Forevermore. THE ROSE OF SHARON. I AM the Rose. — Cant. ii. i. I. Some say Crusaders, in Gethsemane, Found blood-red flowers that now grow every- where ; But me, each thorny rose that scents the air. Minds of that gory crown on Calvary. Perhaps 'tis true, from spicy seeds that fell At Christ's embalming, 'round the rocky door. Even as the Saviour to His rest they bore, Sprung amaranth and fragrant asphodel. 3- Howe'er it be, I deem since time began The flowers were parables to wounded hearts : And still their silent fragrance often starts Refreshing tears and speaks in signs to man. 4- They rise in beauty, at our Easter tide, From nothingness asserting life anew. Rise in all colours bursting into view, And quickened every one because it died. 6o THE ROSE OF SHARON. S- I know their meaning. To my gladsome ear The voice of God seems most articulate : " Ev'n so," it tells me, " let the dead await My call to rise : in time they too shall hear." 6. And shall His children then like earth-worms grope. And bred of earth with earth contented be ? Nay, dear Redeemer, Heaven is ours in Thee, And though we die our flesh shall rest in Hope. HOLY-WEEK. This that is glorious is His apparel , . . Mighty to save, -Isaiah, Ixiii. ±. Who comes from Edom ? Who with garments dyed, As from the battle comes the conqueror ? Thus, 'mid confused noise, the prophet spied Far off Immanuel's Day, the crimson gore — The battle and the victor-spoils He bore. Can this the Lion be — this snow-white Lamb, That comes from Bozrah ; while with wild uproar, The crowds, around Him, lift the wavy palm. And shout, for David's Son, his sweet hosanna- psalm ? 2. Can this be He, the Mighty One to save. Who meek and lowly rides the ass's foal ? Such were the tokens Zechariah gave. But where the hero of Isaiah's scroll ? The Victor in the Victim— O my soul. The Lion in the Lamb have faith to see. And hear'st thou not, as 'twere the thunder's roll, The voice prophetic that proclaims— 'tis He, Who comes His war to wage, foretelling Victory? 62 HOLY-WEEK. 3- Thus Faith discerns, in prophecy twofold, The Hero-King, the Lamb of lowliest guise : Nor marvels that his signs are doubly told. Whose many crowns are as the starry skies : Whose many wounds are countless mysteries. So Judah's lion is his title, there, Where stands on Zion, full of wounds and eyes, The Lamb once slain : the Lamb our sins to bear. Nor less the Lion too, our dragon-foe to tear. For this is He, disclosed in after day. On the white horse who rode, with eyes of flame Him all the armies of the heavqns obey, Whom Lord of lords and King of kings they claim. The seer of Patmos saw them as they came On snow-white steeds, and robes as white are theirs. Faithful and true His Everlasting Name : And diadems upon His head He wears. Supreme o'er thousand thrones, who God's own glory shares. MESSIAH. Because of the savour of Thy good ointments ; Thy Name is as ointment poured forth : therefore do the virgins love Thee.— Cant. i. 3. I. No name but Thine, thou bleeding Lamb, From earth's foundations known ; No name but Thine, the great I AM, Is faith's sure corner-stone. The martyr's crown, the victor's palm, And heaven's eternal Paschal Psalm, Exalt that name alone. Thy many ointments, Priest and King, Messiah Thee proclaim ; Thee, Samuel's oil of hallowing. On David's youth that came. Jacob's anointed Stone — we sing, That Rock, the Christ, prefiguring Thine own sweet-savoured name. 3- And many crowns, dear Lord, are Thine ; Be crowned with Love to-day ! The virgins love Thy names divine ; The pure in heart are they. 64 MESSIAH. At Simon's feast, where guests recline. While breaks this loving heart of mine, All this the nard shall say. So Mary mused — and on His head Poured forth the sweet perfume ; Silent her lips, but all was said When fragrance filled the room. She gave it for His burial dread. Whose Name, like precious ointment shed. May sweeten ev'n the tomb. 5- The virgins love Thee. Simon's board Shall know with love how deep. For all who love Thy Name, is poured This balm Thy locks to steep ; Ere thorns entwine Thy brow adored, Ere 'gainst Thy flock awakes the sword, Oh, Shepherd of the sheep ! 6. It fills the room ; it fills the earth ; Where'er the Promised Seed Is worshipp'd, in His dew of birth. His Gospel tells her deed. Such meet memorial of her worth. In Paschal fast and Paschal mirth The willing nations read. MESSIAH. 6S 7- For oh ! death reign'd, and Nature's moan From babes and children came ; From kings and cotters, born to groan, From poor and proud the same. Till He the Mighty to atone. Made Life and Light and glory known, By His Anointed Name. 8. Uprose His Cross ! To mortal eyes The Dayspring after Night : So doth the Morning Star arise Where wand'rers hail its light. Messiah's Name and Sacrifice, The Christian altar glorifies, That shines to Faith so bright. 5 GETHSEMANE. Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered. — Hebrews, v. 8. 'Mid olive groves the lantern gleams, And water'd glades of Kedron's streams ; With sword and staves and front austere The lawless band by night draw near, While Jesus, on the bended knee. Suffers in lone Gethsemane. Oh ! stand aside ; draw not too nigh — 'Tis not for mortal ear nor eye That conflict or that prayer to scan. 'Tis not for mind, or thought of man : An angel stoops to bear Him up. While Jesus drains the Father's cup. 3- The Man of Sorrows — breathes His moan ; His pangs unknowable, unknown ! A Son, the well-beloved, but still Content to do His Father's will. Thrice crying to the Holy One, " Father, Thy will not mine be done." GETHSEMANE. 67 4- Thus in His agonizing swound His bloody sweat bedews the ground, And perfect made by human fears The Man of Sorrows and of Tears, Of brother men all tears can share, Our pangs can heal, our guilt may bear. 5- But clouds have dimmed the Pasclial moon ; Of night draws nigh the sombre noon ; Heard in the fear His soul that frayed The Shepherd, where His sheep are laid. Draws nigh, the drowsy flock to seek. Of spirit strong, of flesh so weak. " Could ye not watch with me one hour ? But, oh ! of darkness 'tis the power. Sleep while ye may and take your rest. But, nay ! no more by sloth oppress'd, Wake, let us go ! For lo ! at hand Is he who leads their armed band." With swords and staves they come — and this Is he who gives the treach'rous kiss ! " Whom seek ye ? " "Jesus!" " I am He, Let then my harmless flock go free." 68 GETHSEMANE. The Shepherd smitten — flees the flock. And trembles he surnamed a Rock. Lo ! prompt to fight with flesh and blood, He strikes — to make his promise good, Yet quails — that bleeding ear restored, When Jesus bids — " Put up thy sword." Oh ! slow to learn not steel to bare, In faith's stern fight of watch and prayer ! 9- Behold the Lamb to slaughter led, By wolves athirst His blood to shed. And mute as Paschal victims are. While Peter follows Him — afar ! Far off he follows Christ, and all Like him who halt like him must fall. THE BETRAYER. They "were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto Him, Lord, is it I ? — St. Matt. xxiv. 22. If you fare along the Rhine, When the moon at full may shine, Be sure to halt at Speyer. And when lights and shadows fall Hard by the minster wall. You may see what I recall. And admire. Admire, tho' rude the art, For it luoved my inmost heart. And its parable I felt. It brought to mind that cry Of apostles — " Is it I ? " And my heart, as I drew nigh. Seemed to melt. 3- Of the river from afar No murmur cam.e to jar, Of the nearer town no hum. ^0 THE BETRAYER. One feels 'tis holy ground, 'Mid the trees and shrubs around, And a holy awe profound Strikes you dumb. 4- On a knoll, in soft moonlight, Lo ! figures that affright, With staves and swords that slay ; Climbing on they seem to go, Seem moving to and fro. Like robbers creeping slow. To their prey. 5- Like a serpent's cruel coils They wind and weave their toils Round a hillock clad with palm ; And there, with strange grimace. Stands one of thievish face. Who points with finger base At the Lamb. 6. The Lamb of God I scan, The suffering Son of Man, And the angel hov'ring o'er; As He sinks on bended knee. Those pangs I seem to see. Which, all for men like me, Jesus bore. THE BETRAYER. 71 7. Seen of angels ! So He kneels, And mine the guilt He feels, And it makes me sore afraid ; For oh ! that serpent old, His arts are manifold. And still is Jesus sold. And betrayed. Saviour, but for grace, Is the human heart so base, So prompt to go amiss ! As he stands upon the brink, 1 look, and seem to shrink From the traitor, when I think Of his kiss ! 9- Is this the man that sate And with the Saviour ate The supper, ev'n to-day ! Whose feet He washed, unclean. That hasted from 1he scene, Swift to shed His blood, I ween, And betray ? 10. From a heart that knows no guile. Who turns supremely vile In a moment's fiery flame ? 73 THE BETRAYER. 'Tis habit, nurs'd full long. Makes the last temptation strong, And breeds the lust of wrong, With its shame. II. And so from Holy Writ Comes this warning, fair and fit. To the heart of one arid all : Fear and tremble to begin ; For adding sin to sin. As gamesters waste to win, So men fall. 12. If the world from pole to pole One might gain, but lose his soul, What the profit with the cost ? Full many a warning word. Like this the traitor heard. For pelf that sold his Lord, And was lost. 13- And oh ! his madden'd mood. When down the price of blood At their feet he dash'd amain — Who mock'd with scorn and hate. As forth he rushed to fate; For repentance came too late. And was vain. THE BETRAYER. 73 14- But I smite my breast and cry, Holy Jesus, "Is it I ?" As I linger long and gaze ; God be merciful to me. For not the Pharisee, But the publican I'd be, All my days. IS- Tis mine — the guilt He feels, 'Neath the angel as He kneels, Mine His Father's mystic frown : Methinks I see it yet, That brow with dew-drops wet. And beads of bloody sweat, Dropping down ! 16. Tho' rude and crude the art. It stamped upon my heart Such thoughts like coals of fire : I seem'd indeed to see A true Gethsemane, As by chance it came to me. There in Speyer. THE COUNCIL. Let our strength be our justice. — Wisdom, ii. ii. Who wrote the Book of Wisdom ? From his pen Distill'd the ichor of the prophets' lore. What Caiaphas would do, he shewed before. And how they slew the Just, foresaw with keen- est ken. For while the worldly wise proclaimed their dream. Should perfect virtue on the earth appear. Him all mankind would worship and revere, What of the human heart did that true wisdom deem ? Ev'n Plato, taught by Scriptures of the Jew, Foretold what cruel death the Just should die : If seen on earth. Him they would crucify With shame and scourging : this the sage of Greece foreknew. THE COUNCIL. 75 4- Come then, pedestrian muse, while I transcribe From Wisdom's page those counsels of the night By forecast written, of the high-priests' spite, With scribe and Pharisee and chiefs of every tribe. S- Let us oppress the righteous Man — they cry, And for the just man lie in wait, because He blames us for transgressing our own laws ! He is not of our sort, and sure he ought to die. 6. And contrary to all our ways is he ; Rebukes our education and our life ; Child of the Lord, with other men at strife, Such is this man self-styled, who chides our infamy ! 7- As filth he shuns our ways, as if 'twere his Alone to know the Lord ! He seemeth made Our thoughts to challenge and our deeds upbraid. We cannot bear a man so just, forsooth, as this. 8. Grievous to bear the fashion of his ways Whose life is not like ours. If he is gold Then we are counterfeits ! Who can behold A man so strangely just, nor hate him while they gaze ! 76 THE COUNCIL. 9- God is his Father ! And he maketh boast That such as he are blessed in their end ! Ha ! let us see — if God be this man's friend — What happens in his end, when help he needeth most ? Let then His God deliver this His Son, If He will have Him — from the cross and rod ! Blasphemer ! if He be the Son of God, Then let the Father save from death His Holy One. So they fulfil what law and prophet saith ; Such things did they imagine — self-deceived. And blind through wickedness — such things believed ; Let us condemn him then, they said, to shameful death. 12. Of blameless souls they loved not the reward. Nor knew God's mysteries ; nor wages sought Of righteousness — but death, by Satan brought, While lo ! the just shall live immortal with the Lord. THE COUNCIL. 77 13- So far the Book of Wisdom ; thus they spake, As 'twas forewritten. In the midnight dark, They wait their victim with their band : and hark! They come with clamours rude, the welkin that awake. H- Last prophet of the Jews — 'twas Caiaphas Said — "for the Jews, 'twas good, this man should die : " Now, let the people hear him prophesy What Romans next will do ; for so 'twill come to pass. 15- " They shall come hither and our place make void. And take away our Nation." Even so ! In Rome that arch of Titus still may show How soon the Romans came and all destroyed. CAIAPHAS. The hig^h-priest rent his clothes. — St. Matt. xxvi. 65. I. Night in the cruel high-priest's hall And night his soul within ! Of Caiaphas — that whited wall. Who hath the greater sin, How blood-stained in the book of time The page that doth record His deed of darkness and of crime, Who judged his judge and Lord. 2. Go read how meekly him before The Lamb of Abel stood ; How he who Aaron's mitre bore Could shed Messiah's blood ■ Mere type and shadow of the law He scorns the substance true, And God's High-Priest, whom Abra'm saw. This priestly traitor slew. 3- Aye, read that oracle of flame. His victim's answer dread ; Adjured in great Jehovah's name. What God's co-equal said : Hereafter, thou who judgest Me Before My bar shalt stand. CAIAPHAS. 79 In clouds the Son of Man shalt see Enthroned at God's right hand. 4- The high-priest rent his clothes, but knew Not half that rending meant ; That day, the temple of the Jew, That day, its veil was rent. His shadowy priesthood thus he doff'd With that symbolic vest ; Melchizedek, while yet he scoffd Before him stood confess'd. 5- Now Caiaphas was he who gave This counsel — so it saith — The people of the Jews to save One man should die the death. Like Balaam's beast he prophesied, Nor knew 'twas of the Lord ; Not of himself he spake, nor lied, But voiced the Spirit's word. 6. Then let the Romans come ; their prey Their eagles may consume : The carcass let them bear away, To give the Living room : For He the one High-Priest must reign Whom Caiaphas made known — • The Lamb for all the nations slain, And not for Jews alone. PONTIUS PILATE. The Priest shall make an Atonement for the soul that sinneth ig^orantly and for the stranger that sojoumeth among them.— Numb. xv. 24-29. I. , Some say he was a Teuton. Where the vine Purples the hillsides of his fatherland Were bred those hinds, they say, beside the Rhine, Who toss'd the dice, with red remorseless hand, On Jesu's raiment. These His corse divine Watch'd in the sepulchre ; a brutal band Pacing, stern sentries, round that sealed tomb. Their shimmering helmets glittering in the gloom. 2. It may be so ; the legend suits my song. With Pilate came they, those barbarians bold. To make his weak dominion sternly strong And q.uell the tribes of Jacob in their hold ; Those tribes so fierce against the Romans' wrong, Untamed and turbulent and uncontroU'd, And daring oft ev'n Roman chiefs to vex. While Cassar's yoke weigh'd heavy on their necks. PONTIUS PILATE. 8 1 3- With these, 'twas Pilate's tasl< and toil austere To make Tiberius' mastery supreme ; Nor marvel that with polic)' severe He scorned their superstitions as a dream. Not worse than other Romans, his career Was cruel and remorseless in its scheme. 'Twas policy alil