University of Virginia Library

UNIVERSITY.

“Who prays the most, will study best;” so spake,
In noble answer to official pride,
A young Reformer, when th' unfolding gates
Of Erfurth from his asking eye retired,
As pale he stood, her letter'd walls beside
Intreating entrance there. And now, commenced
The waking myst'ries of his mind within!
Around him, more and more, dread shadows fell,
Which seem'd reflected from Almighty frowns;
While conscience, that pale miniature of God!
In outlines faint, the Holiness Supreme
Began to image. Morning, noon, and night,
With soul intense, and heart of upward gaze,
How oft did Luther on the wings of hope
Rise out of earth, heaven's tearless home depict,
And on Christ's bosom pillow all his cares!
'Twas then, while sensitive at ev'ry pore,
His soul lay open to the pregnant beams
Of truth eternal, from the heavens derived,
That Mercy-seat of everlasting mind,
The Bible!—first on Luther's spirit breathed.
Yet, little thought he, when the dust-worn shelves
Were traced, some intellectual food to find,
How God in language to the conscience speaks
When faith in scripture hears the Spirit there.
And scarce could Seraph wave his wings of light
With ecstasy of more celestial glow,
Than did the student, with his raptured eyes
To heaven upraised, the heart's rich anthem peal
Of thankful wonder, for this costly boon!
That moment was the Reformation's seed;
That Volume, then, the universe outweigh'd
In mental preciousness and moral power!
For in its pages slept those living germs
Of principle, from out whose depth have sprung
The faith, and freedom of a christian world.