Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/232

 226 REDEMPTION.

" Jerusalem, my well beloved, hear ; Ye men of Juda, to my words attend. I had a fruitful vineyard by the sea, Planted with choicest vines, from Egypt brought, Water'd by copious streams, hedged, wall'd, and built With lofty towers. Deeply the vine took root, And fill'd the land ; its leafy boughs were like The goodly cedars green, and hills, beneath Its pleasant shade, rejoiced. Men of Israel, Between me and my vineyard, now judge ye. What more could I to it than has been done ? And lo ! I look'd for fruit ; but, wild grapes found ! For wine, and naught but vinegar and gall ! Now, what my vineyard shall befall, attend. Its hedge shall be destroy'd, its wall removed ; Wild boars shall root it up, fierce beasts devour ; No more shall it be water'd, pruned, or digg'd, And fruitful only be in briars and thorns. Thou, house of Israel, my vineyard art ; You, men of Juda, are my pleasant plant. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that dost The prophets slay, and stonest those, who have To thee been sent, how oft thy children would I glad have gather'd to my shelt'ring side, E'en as the hen her brood beneath her wings, But thou wouldst not ; and now, behold, thy house, Favour'd so long, shall be left desolate. O would that thou, in this thy day, hadst known The things which make thy peace ! but now they're hid From thee, infatuate; blind are thine eyes, Nor see that soon the evil days shall come, When all thy foes shall trench, and compass thee

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