Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/195

 More clear and splendid than the rising sun, And while my every nerve with rapture thrill'd, A Power Supreme my soul in silence held.

Prone on the earth my bending knees I bow'd, My rais'd eyes fixing on a crimson cloud, Which from its cleaving arch this mandate bore, "Go, shepherd, lead thy much lov'd flock no more." My trembling lips now prest the soil I trod, "Shepherd! forsake thy flock, and be the Seer of God." Uprising at the heavenly call, I laid My crook and scrip beneath the spreading shade, "I go, I go, my God," my answering spirit said.

Through the rough stream I dash'd, whose foaming tide Came whit'ning from the mountain's hoary side: O'er rocks I bounded, thro' dark forests ran, To seek the busy haunts of guilty man. Yet pressing on my path, I heard with pain The echoing footsteps of a distant train; I saw my snowy lambs approaching near, And wondering at their master's bold career; With gentle look, and piteous moans they stood, To ask of me their guidance and their food.

A moment pausing in my anxious race, I dash'd the gathering tear-drop from my face,