Page:The Christian Year 1887.djvu/21



Alas! no need to rouse them: long ago They are gone forth to swell Messiah's show: With glittering robes and garlands sweet They strew the ground beneath His feet: All but your hearts are there— O doomed to prove The arrows winged in Heaven for Faith that will not love!

Meanwhile He paces through th' adoring crowd, Calm as the march of some majestic cloud, That o'er wild scenes of ocean-war Holds its still course in Heaven afar: E'en so, heart-searching Lord, as years roll on. Thou keepest silent watch from Thy triumphal throne:

E'en so, the world is thronging round to gaze On the dread vision of the latter days. Constrained to own Thee, but in heart Prepared to take Barabbas' part: Hosanna " now, to-morrow '' Crucify," The changeful burden still of their rude lawless cry.

Yet in that throng of selfish hearts untrue Thy sad eye rests upon Thy faithful few. Children and childlike souls are there. Blind Bartimeus' humble prayer. And Lazarus wakened from his four days' sleep. Enduring life again, that Passover to keep.

And fast beside the olive-bordered way Stands the blessed home where Jesus deigned to stay, The peaceful home, to Zeal sincere And heavenly Contemplation dear. Where Martha loved to wait with reverence meet. And wiser Mary lingered at Thy sacred feet.

Still through decaying ages as they glide. Thou lov'st Thy chosen remnant to divide; Sprinkled along the waste of years Full many a soft green isle appears: Pause where we may upon the desert road. Some shelter is in sight, some sacred safe abode.

When withering blasts of error swept the sky. And Love's last flower seemed fain to droop and die. How sweet, how lone the ray benign On sheltered nooks of Palestine!