Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/326

 320 REDEMPTION.

The certain sense, no art of man may foil,

Nor his evasive subtilty defer;

Prediction both and malediction firm,

And who the first denies, the last incurs.

Nor less clear is the place than time defined,

As Micheas of Morasti tells, who clear

The birthplace of Messias saw ' And thou,

Bethlehem Ephrata, 'mongst the thousands

Juda sends, though small, art not the le^st, since

Out of thee shall Israel's Kuler spring,

Whose going forth is from eternity.'

What clearer sense would men of Juda seek ?

The rolling weeks evolve the certain day,

And fix the present time to Daniel's words,

Whilst Balaam's star o'er Bethlehem's past'ral plains,

Perfusely show'r'd his advent with its beams,

And led the Sages to his feet t' adore.

" But time nor place, more clear his advent limn, Than terms descriptive of his parentage, His birth, his office, character, employ. Thus hear the chief among prophetic schools, Who, fill'd with spirit, touch'd with heav'nly fire, Sings of Messias, as, (in his advent,) ' Fill'd with the spirit of the Lord ; spirit Of wisdom, counsel, understanding, love, Godliness, knowledge, fortitude, and fear; Who shall the weak with justice judge, reprove With equity, and strike the wicked dumb.' Is aught of this, in consonance with him, Whom ye erewhile, did your Messias call ? And Moses, hath he naught of like import ? Hear him t The Lord thy God shall raise thee up

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