Noiselessly as the daylight Comes when the night is done, And the crimson streak on ocean's cheek Grows into the great sun; Noiselessly as the spring-time Her crown of verdure weaves, And all the trees on all the hills Open their thousand leaves: So, without sound of music, Or voice of them that wept, Silently down, from the mountain's crown, The great procession swept. Perchance the bald old eagle, Looked on the wondrous sight; Still shuns that hallowed spot: For beast and bird have seen and heard But when the warrior dieth, His comrades in the war, With arms reversed and muffled drum, Follow the funeral car. They show the banners taken, They tell his battles won, THE BURIAL OF MOSES. 53 And after him lead his masterless steed, Amid the noblest of the land Men lay the sage to rest, And give the bard an honored place, With costly marble drest, In the great minster transept, Where lights like glories fall, And the sweet choir sings, and the organ rings Along the emblazoned wall. This was the bravest warrior This the most gifted poet That ever breathed a word; And never earth's philosopher Traced with his golden pen On the deathless page truths half so sage As he wrote down for men. And had he not high honor? To lie in state while angels wait With stars for tapers tall, And the dark rock pines like tossing plumes Over his bier to wave, And God's own hand in that lonely land To lay him in the grave. In that deep grave without a name, Shall break again, most wondrous thought! And stand with glory wrapped around On the hills he never trod, And speak of the strife that won our life O lonely tomb in Moab's land! And teach them to be still. Ways that we cannot tell; He hides them deep, like the secret sleep RUTH. A. A. WATTS. ENTREAT me not to leave thee so, NAAMAN'S SERVANT. The path thou treadest, hear my vow, – By me shall still be trod; Thy people be my people now; Reft of all else, to thee I cleave, And where thou diest, die! 55 And may the Lord, whose hand hath wrought This weight of misery, NAAMAN'S SERVANT. KEBLE.-LYRA INNOCENTIUM. "Who hath despised the day of small things?" "WHO for the like of me will care?" So haply mused yon little maid, A captive now, and sold and bought, But One who ne'er forgets is here: So shall the healing Name be known By thee desponding lepers know The sacred waters' sevenfold might. Then wherefore sink in listless woe? Christ's poor and needy! claim your right, — Your heavenly right, to do and bear All for his sake; nor yield one sigh To pining doubt; nor ask, "What care In the wide world for such as I?" |