University of Virginia Library


77

LXXI. GOD'S HOLY FIRE

Upon me at some seasons there descends
The fire of God to purge thee of thine error,—
Through thunder and through anguish and through terror
To draw thee back towards nobler queenlier ends.
The Spirit of God in flaming glory blends
Its power with mine, and bids me speak to thee;
Yea, could I, without fieriest anger, see
That weakness late repentance barely mends?
There is in me the holy fire of God,
To purge each furrow of the slavish sod
Of thine own fickle and rebellious heart;
There is in me an agony supreme
At thine own sin, and so a saving stream
Of sweet divine redemption I impart.