Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/153

 EEDEMPTION. 147

Is't that which Noe preach'd, and lost a world ?

Or after, that which led to Abram's call,

And final settlement in promised land,

Of his seed multiplied to countless hordes ?

Which soon to idols fell, that is to me,

Who led their wisest king by female snares,

To worship at my shrine, and me adore ?

So, hath he not, time was, and is again,

Them sharp rebuked, call'd stubborn, stiff-neck'd race,

And oft resign'd them to my peoples' sway ;

Who scourged, despoil'd, slew, dragg'd in chains,

And for long years wiped out their very name ?

Wherefore, if his redemption hath not fail'd ?

And should the remnant, two bare tribes, define

Whether against, or for him, they would be,

Doubt not Hipparcus' fate would his be soon.

If this be thy new plan then, Son of God,

I claim the contest fought, the vict'ry won,

Thou art defeated, as thou wast before,

Since not thy will alone can this effect,

But man's incline, which inly tends to me.

Meanwhile, till this his plan begins to work,

' Tis mine alert to hang upon his steps,

And sober watch keep o'er his devious ways."

Now had the Baptist gan aloud his cry, Whom Bethbera long time conceal'd, where fruits Of reticence he cull'd, and grew in grace ; More rich than Noe, preacher of justice, Type of this, who erst between two worlds stood, Pleading with man to leave his evil ways; Plead long, but not more earnestly than John, Last of the prophets, chief of th' anchorets,

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