519.
Parable 15.
Dives and Lazarus. Luke, xvi.
1
Dives, behold, in lordly state,
Ruling, with half a monarch's sway;
Obsequious menials round him wait;
His looks regard, his nod obey:
Before him sportive dancers glide,
And all is dazzling pomp and pride!
2
Hark! music gives her airy joys!
The dulcet airs attention chain!
Now the bold timbrel's deafening noise
Yields to the harp's inspiring strain:
And now a hundred voices raise
The chorus loud to Dives' praise!
3
The feast begins! Behold the board!
What luxury! profusion! waste!
Sea, earth, and heaven, their gifts afford
To pamper and provoke the taste:
The sparkling wine, the song is there,
While Laughter, reeling, scoffs at Care!
4
A Guest, unbidden, opes the door!
I know him by his spectre form!
'Tis Death! Ah! where is now the roar?
The lyre is still, and hush'd the storm!
Th' imperious Stranger Dives calls!
See! from his seat, he, lifeless, falls!
5
At Dives' gate a beggar lies,
Cover'd with sores, and toss'd with pain;
There is no ear to heed his cries!
He asks for crumbs, but asks in vain!
The very dogs compassion feel,
And lick the wounds they cannot heal.
6
Death comes to him; his cares are o'er!
And now the difference plain appears;
Lazarus his weight of suffering bore,
While traversing this vale of tears;
But it was brief, and he could say,
“My Father! I thy will obey!”
7
Is this the end of both? ah! no;
Lazarus the angels have convey'd
To yonder skies, from want, and woe,
And him, with spotless robe, array'd!
The joys of heaven will well repay
The sorrows of his mortal day!
8
Where now is Dives? see him borne
Down to his tomb, with gorgeous show!
The crowd of hirelings, paid to mourn,
But ill conceal their hollow woe!
The heralds all his greatness tell,
While Dives lifts his eyes from hell!
9
He sees the beggar, whom he scorn'd,
In Abraham's bosom,—God, his friend!
With palms, and sun-like vest, adorn'd,
Eternity in heaven to spend!
While he contends with pangs untold,
Excluded from the Saviour's fold!
10
Dives, tormented, thus address'd
Abraham;—“O Father! pity me!
“Send Lazarus, from among the bless'd,
“With water, though one drop it be!
“And, o'er that glimpse of spirits bright,
“Oh! cast the veil of deepest night!”
11
Abraham replies; “Son! bear in mind,
“On earth, to every luxury known,
“Thy heart to Mammon was resign'd,
“While Lazarus evil call'd his own;
“Now, he forgets his former care,
“And thou, the fruit of sin must bear:”
12
“Besides all this, 'tween us and you,
“A gulf, impassable, extends;
“Though each, may each, from distance, view,
“All intercourse, with seeing, ends:
“And still, at sight of Heaven, must rise,
“Remorse! the worm that never dies!”
13
Dives implores,—“The warning voice,
“O, Abraham! to the earth, convey,
“Lest my seven brethren make my choice,
“And feel the pangs that on me prey!
“One admonition from the grave,
“Their hearts might move, their souls might save!”
14
Abraham replies; “They only seek
“Time's momentary pleasures vain;
“Moses, and all the prophets, speak,
“And yet they hear them with disdain!
“Those who despise what they have said
“Would spurn the message from the dead!”
