Page:Olney Hymns - 1840.djvu/97

BOOK I. The wilderness blooms like a rose, The heart which was vile and abhorr d Now fruitful and beautiful grows The garden and joj of the Lord.

1 BEFORE Elisha s gate The Syrian leper stood ; But could not brook to wait, He deem d himself too good : He thought the prophet would attend, And not to him a message send.

2 &quot; Have I this journey come, And will he not be seen ? I were as well at home Would washing make me clean ; Why must I wash in Jordan s flood? Damascus rivers are as good.&quot;

3 Thus, by his foolish pride, He almost miss d a cure ; Howe er at length he tried, And found the method sure : Soon as the pride was brought to yield The leprosy was quickly heal d.

4 Leprous and proud as he, To Jesus thus I came, From sin to set me free, When first I heard his fame : Surely, thought I, my pompous train Of vows and tears will notice gain.

5 My heart devised the way Which I supposed he d take ; And when I found delay, Was ready to go back : Had he some painful task enjoin d, I to performance seem d inclined.

6 When by his word he spake, "That fountain open d see ;