Of the broad sycamore made sounds at noon, The crimson deepening o'er his cheek's repose, And where a fount Lay like a twilight star 'mid palmy shades, And softly parting clusters of jet curls To bathe his brow. At last the Fane was reached,- But when that hour Waned to the farewell moment, when the boy Lifted, through rainbow-gleaming tears, his eye Turned from the white-robed priest, and round her arm Clung as the ivy clings-the deep spring-tide 66 Alas, my boy, thy gentle grasp is on me; THE HEBREW MOTHER The bright tears quiver in thy pleading eyes, And silver cords again to earth have won me; 117 "How the lonely paths retrace where thou wert playing So late, along the mountains, at my side? And I, in joyous pride, By every place of flowers my course delaying, "And oh! the home whence thy bright smile hath parted! Will it not seem as if the sunny day Turned from its door away? While through its chambers wandering, wearyhearted, I languish for thy voice, which past me still "Under the palm-trees thou no more shalt meet me, When from the fount at evening I return, With the full water-urn; Nor will thy sleep's low dove-like breathings greet me, As 'midst the silence of the stars I wake, And watch for thy dear sake. "And thou-will slumber's dewy cloud fall round thee, Without thy mother's hand to smooth thy bed? Wilt thou not vainly spread Thine arms, when darkness as a veil hath wound thee, To fold my neck, and lift up in thy fear A cry which none shall hear? "What have I said, my child?-Will He not hear thee, Who the young ravens heareth from their nest? Shall He not guard thy rest, And, in the hush of holy midnight near thee, Breathe o'er thy soul, and fill its dreams with joy? "I give thee to thy God-the God that gave thee, And pure as dew of Hermon, He shall have thee, And thou shalt be His child. "Therefore, farewell!-I go-my soul may fail me. As the hart panteth for the water-brooks, Yearning for thy sweet looks— But thou, my first-born, droop not, nor bewail me; Thou in the shadow of the Rock shalt dwell, The Rock of Strength.-Farewell." FELICIA D. HEMANS SAUL AND DAVID 119 41 SAUL AND DAVID I Samuel xvi. 23 Deep was the furrow in the royal brow, In Pharaoh's realm; his brethren thither sent; And, with a sweep impetuous, swept the chords. Kindles the eye of Saul; his arm is poised; JAMES GRAHAME 42 SONG OF TRIUMPH I Samuel xvii. 52 Prepare! your festal rites prepare! Let heathen hosts on human helps repose, Let remotest nations know Who fears the Lord of Glory need not fear See, the routed squadrons fly! Hark! their clamors rend the sky! Blood and carnage stain the field! See! the vanquished nations yield! Dismay and terror fill the frightened land, While conquering David routs the trembling band. Lo, upon the tented field, Royal Saul has thousands killed! Lo, upon th'ensanguined plain, David has ten thousand slain! Let mighty Saul his vanquished thousands tell, HANNAH MORE |