The poetical works of Henry Alford | ||
III.
A lone place by the Garden of Gethsemane.First Christian.
A voice from the East!
Prophets,
(unseen.)
Arm of the Lord, awake!
Second Christian.
A voice from the West!
Martyrs,
(unseen.)
Sword of the Lord, come forth!
First Chris.
Seven nights, as I beneath the starry skies
Wandered, in heavenly contemplation-wrapt,
Have those drear sounds been uttered on mine ear.
Second Chris.
Seven nights, in flashes through the dusky air,
Mysterious visitants have come and gone;
And all Mount Zion, and Moriah's hill,
Twinkle with sudden gleams of spear and shield.
First Chris.
To-day at sunrise were we breaking bread;
And when the hymn, “Thrice Holy,” passed away,
Sweet voices in the air took up the strain,—
“Glory to Thee, O Lord most high,” they sung,
Majestic angel voices jubilant:
And then, like mighty forests heard from far,
Responsive breathed unnumbered hosts around.
Second Chris.
Hear yet. 'Tis said that some have seen the Lord:
How on yon Mount of Olives yesternight
He stood, and sternly o'er the city towers
328
The cup of wrath is full—the doom is near;
The day of vengeance of the Elect is come!
Gabriel
(unseen.)
Arise—depart!
The poetical works of Henry Alford | ||