XI.
1. Men.
Glory be to God on high,
Who well knew, yet, knowing well,
Lov'd His thankless Israel:
He His hand upon the wild
Open'd, and old Horeb smil'd:
Nature's face was sear and lone,
Helpless to sustain His own,
Lo, on Sinai's rugged side
Heav'n's doors were open'd wide,
They fed on Angel's food,—but like their fathers died.
2. Angels.
Peace be upon earth below.
Where the lone Bethsaida
Looks upon the watery spray,
Lifting up His sacred eyes,
He brought blessings from the skies;
Ever to the hands anew,
Lo, th'unearthly fragments grew;
But they who eat on that dread day,
Death's sure and silent prey,
Liv'd but their mortal span, then pass'd from earth away.
3. Men and Angels.
Good will to man from God above.
But now behold the Sacrifice,
On which alone the soul can live;
Higher than Heav'n th'uncounted price,
The boon which nature cannot give;
Fast as His holy hand supplies,
The blessing multiplies,
'Mid earthly vanities the Bread of Truth,
And 'mid decay and death food of immortal youth.
