Sires had he, too, whose course had greatly run, And waked high emulation in the son;
A noble aim, from faith and virtue's root,
To rear a fairer stem and richer fruit;
Witness the ruling passion of his soul,
When, deeming he approached his earthly goal; Oh, take me!" was his sad but erring prayer, "I am not better than my fathers were!"
The mother, too-how were, perchance, addressed Her for him, when cradled on her breast! How was his spirit led, from life's young dawn, By rules from Truth's eternal fountains drawn! How did she ply the watchful pilot's art, Direct the needle, and outspread the chart; And watch, as life with heedless steps he ran, To guide the youth, and form the perfect man! Oh say, ye wise, and just, and great, and good, What to a mother's cares and vows ye owed; How purest lessons from her lips ye drew; How o'er your devious course love's reins she threw ; How, by her side was virtue's race begun, And, at her knees, its fairest victories won!
Mute are those sacred records, too, how first
The Prophet on his mighty office burst.
Like him-his great successor*-did he, in
The desert contest wage with self and sin?
Austere in garb, in food-of man unknown,
Unknowing man-Heaven-taught—did he—alone,
'Midst rugged rocks and shades impervious, learn
The baits of sense, its joys and pride, to spurn;
And tread beneath his feet, as worthless things,
Th' applause of crowds, and menaces of kings;
Take arms 'gainst courtly wrath and priestly wiles,
Or, deadlier yet, their flatteries and smiles?
Was it by means like these his zeal was fired;
Was thus the sacred fortitude inspired,
Which, in Heaven's time, his dauntless breast should urge
A guilty land from idol-rites to purge;
He, one of passions like our own, the same
In love of peace, goodwill of fellows, fame,
(If right the cause,) yet, at his Master's call,
Prompt to lay down ease, wealth, and honours-all
That life endears to man; and to bear forth
The solemn tokens of Jehovah's wrath;
To plead, unhelped, alone, his Maker's cause,
Uphold His throne, and vindicate His laws?
And then, perchance, in solitary thought,
And solemn musings, to his soul was brought
That mighty epoch, when, from Heaven come down,
Infinitude would our frail nature crown;
Take his mysterious and untainted birth;
Traverse (its Sovereign and Redeemer)—earth;
And Wisdom infinite complete its plan
Of love and pity infinite for Man.
But, chief, that hour in which himself should bear,
With Israel's Lawgiver, illustrious share;
When laid mortality's dim vestments by-
Th' incarnate God should meet his creatures' eye:
When on the blazoned Mount, on either hand,
They once again earth's visitants-should stand;
Hear from the heavens th' Eternal voice proclaim,
Well pleased, th' Eternal Son beloved's Name;
And sacred converse hold! Oh mighty theme!
To which all earth's discoursings were a dream;
Wit, learning, wisdom, worldly sorrow, joy,
Weak babbling, fancy's coinage, childhood's toy ::
What secrets then to mortal ear revealed!
What sumless gifts to glad Creation sealed!
What bright perspectives opened to their view;
What glowing scenes their ravished thoughts pursue !
How did that wondrous colloquy disclose
Cure for all ills, and solace for all woes;
For man's offences satisfaction made;
For debts incalculable ransom paid;
For Heaven's displeasure reconcilement found;
Earth, ruined and deflowered, made holy ground;
Dispersed sin's darkness, ended sorrow's night;
Brought life and immortality to light :
Peace, holiness, where guilt and discord reigned,
And joy and glory, more than Eden lost, regained!
Or, like the youthful Samuel, did he sit
At piety and virtue's reverend feet?
Beneath the solemn Sanctuary's shade,
In the white robes of purity arrayed;
The faithful guardian of its hallowed fires;
The leader of its spirit-stirring quires :
His peaceful days employed in sacred rites,
In prayer and praise, and sweet repose, his nights;
There did (the world's polluting scenes aside)
The gentle current of his being glide;
Within its sacred walls his glad employ,
Its beauty and adornment all his joy;
Like the familiar bird's, his down-lined nest,
His sheltering covert, and his home-felt rest?
Or was he taken from the haunts of life,
Its cares, its pleasures, businesses, and strife?
(Need fancy here be asked her hues to give,
When, in our view, the bright exemplars live?)
In schools prophetical, from early youth,
Reared in the rules of holiness and truth:
Then, launched on social being's broad-spread wave,
To stem its currents, and its storms to brave;
To mingle with love's softest charities,
Bound by, or smiling on, her tenderest ties;
Gentle with holy offices to blend,
Teacher, corrector, counsellor, and friend;
Guide of the young, moulder of riper years;
Gilding with beams from Heaven a vale of tears;
Winning the hardened soul to sacred rest,
Fanning immortal fires within the breast;
Versed in the hallowed pages of the Law,
Bent, from its truths, the choicest rules to draw,
And mighty from its holy stores t' unfold
Treasures more precious than of pearl or gold?
Oh, gracious office! sacred embassage;
That in thy work dost noblest spirits engage!
Noblest of all, who earth's poor wealth and fame
Fling to the winds, and hold an empty name;
Ease, health, e'en life, dust in the mounting scale!
Nor instance, nor example, aught avail
To bend their constant step from its high goal-
To turn to righteous ways th' unwilling soul.—
Yes, such have been; One, e'en now; but passed
Away! Through toils, griefs, pains, he found at last
His rest, for evermore; and now afar
He holds his blessed seat, as yon fair star,
Beyond earth's storms, and clouds, and chills, and blight, Sheds o'er the firmament its pure, ethereal light!
Seek we no more; suffice the Lord of all
Knows where, and when, and how His saints to call: 'Tis His august prerogative to choose
His instruments, and fit them for His use.
The haunts of want and toil, the crowded mart,
The seats of learning, and the schools of art;
Th' embattled legion and the peaceful field,
All, their contingent to His service yield.
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