Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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A KING'S SLEEPLESS NIGHT. |
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A KING'S SLEEPLESS NIGHT.
“On that night could not the King sleep, and he commanded to
bring the book of the records of the Chronicles, and they were
read before the King.”
—Esther, vi. 1.
Mordecai, though long forgot,
When the monarch slumber'd not,
For the service he had done
Proud and regal honours won.
When the monarch slumber'd not,
For the service he had done
Proud and regal honours won.
70
Long was his reward delayed,
Long he sate in seeming shade,
While the sun shone fair and bright
On the haughty Agagite.
Long he sate in seeming shade,
While the sun shone fair and bright
On the haughty Agagite.
Yet in patient faith he sate,
Watching on at Shushan's gate;
Humble-hearted, hopeful-eyed,
Bowing not to Haman's pride.
Watching on at Shushan's gate;
Humble-hearted, hopeful-eyed,
Bowing not to Haman's pride.
Come at last the destin'd hour
When by God's o'er-ruling power
Sleep no soothing charm could fling
On the eye-lids of the King.
When by God's o'er-ruling power
Sleep no soothing charm could fling
On the eye-lids of the King.
Then the Chronicles which told
Service done by him of old,
Gain'd him, at the King's command,
Honours from proud Haman's hand.
Service done by him of old,
Gain'd him, at the King's command,
Honours from proud Haman's hand.
Christian, wait and watch like him,
Watch, though every hope seem dim;
Wait, without one murmuring word,
Though reward seem long deferr'd.
Watch, though every hope seem dim;
Wait, without one murmuring word,
Though reward seem long deferr'd.
Bear with patience, though forlorn,
Haman's obloquy and scorn;
Trust a brighter day to see,
More than Esther pleads for thee.
Haman's obloquy and scorn;
Trust a brighter day to see,
More than Esther pleads for thee.
71
He whose eye no sleep can seal,
He whose arm can help reveal,
He whose word is faithful yet,
Neither can nor will forget.
He whose arm can help reveal,
He whose word is faithful yet,
Neither can nor will forget.
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