Then as ye turn'd your weary eye To the green earth and open sky, Were ye not fain to doubt how Faith could dwell Amid that dreary glare, in this world's citadel ? But Love's a flower that will not die For lack of leafy screen, And Christian Hope can cheer the eye Then be ye sure that Love can bless Even in this crowded loneliness, Where ever-moving myriads seem to say, Go-thou art nought to us, nor we to thee-away! There are in this loud stunning tide Of human care and crime, With whom the melodies abide Of th' everlasting chime; Through dusky lane and wrangling mart, Plying their daily task with busier feet, Because their secret souls a holy strain repeat. How sweet to them, in such brief rest As thronging cares afford, In thought to wander, fancy-blest, Spake, and was heard by fell disease - Bade the meek Publican his gainful seat forsake: At once he rose, and left his gold; His treasure and his heart While he beside his endless store Shall sit, and floods unceasing pour Of Christ's true riches o'er all time and space, First angel of his Church, first steward of his Grace: Nor can ye not delight to think e Where He vouchsaf'd to eat, How the Most Holy did not shrink From touch of sinner's meat; What worldly hearts and hearts impure Went with him through the rich man's door, d It seems from St. Matthew ix. 8, 9, that the calling of Levi took place immediately after the healing of the paralytic in the presence of the Pharisees. e St. Matth. ix. 10. That we might learn of Him lost souls to love, And view his least and worst with hope to meet above. These gracious lines shed Gospel light On Mammon's gloomiest cells, As on some city's cheerless night The tide of sun-rise swells, Till tower, and dome, and bridge-way proud Are mantled with a golden cloud, And to wise hearts this certain hope is given; "No mist that man may raise, shall hide the eye of "Heaven." And oh! if even on Babel shine Such gleams of Paradise, Should not their peace be peace divine, Who day by day arise To look on clearer Heavens, and scan The work of God untouch'd by man? Shame on us, who about us Babel bear, And live in Paradise, as if God was not there! XCI. ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Heb. i. 14. YE stars that round the Sun of righteousness In glorious order roll, With harps for ever strung, ready to bless Ye eagle spirits, that build in light divine, Faint warblers of this earth, that would combine Your amaranth wreaths were earn'd; and homeward all, Flush'd with victorious might, Ye might have sped to keep high festival, And revel in the light; But meeting us, weak worldlings, on our way, Ye turn'd to help us in th' unequal fray, Remembering Bethlehem, and that glorious night When ye, who used to soar Diverse along all space in fiery flight, Came thronging to adore Your God new-born, and made a sinner's child; As if the stars should leave Their stations in the far etherial wild, And round the sun a radiant circle weave. Nor less your lay of triumph greeted fair In that first strife, whence Satan in despair Alone He fasted, and alone He fought; Ye to the sacred Hermit duteous brought Banquet and hymn, your Eden's festal store: |