Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/567

 Strong is the horse upon his speed; Strong in pursuit the rapid glede, Which makes at once his game: Strong the tall ostrich on the ground; Strong through the turbulent profound Shoots Xiphias to his aim.

Strong is the lion—like a coal His eyeball,—like a bastion's mole His chest against the foes: Strong the gier-eagle on his sail; Strong against tide th' enormous whale Emerges as he goes.

But stronger still, in earth and air, And in the sea, the man of prayer, And far beneath the tide: And in the seat to faith assigned, Where ask is have, where seek is find, Where knock is open wide.

Precious the penitential tear; And precious is the sigh sincere, Acceptable to God: And precious are the winning flowers, In gladsome Israel's feast of bowers Bound on the hallow'd sod.

Glorious the sun in mid career; Glorious th' assembled fires appear; Glorious the comet's train: Glorious the trumpet and alarm; Glorious the Almighty's stretch'd-out arm; Glorious th' enraptured main:

glede] kite. Xiphias] sword-fish.