The Reliquary By Bernard and Lucy Barton. With A Prefatory Appeal for Poetry and Poets |
 |
ELIJAH ON MOUNT HOREB. |
| I. |
| II. |
 | The Reliquary |  |
29
ELIJAH ON MOUNT HOREB.
The prophet stood in Horeb's cave, and saw with tranquil eye,
The whirlwind in its awful might and majesty sweep by;
It came as comes in fearful strength the lion from his lair;
His steadfast spirit knew no fear:—because God was not there.
The whirlwind in its awful might and majesty sweep by;
It came as comes in fearful strength the lion from his lair;
His steadfast spirit knew no fear:—because God was not there.
Soon as that stormy wind had passed,—an earthquake shook the ground,
The rocks were riven, the trees up-torn, and strew'd in fragments round;
Yet unappall'd the prophet's soul could earth's commotion dare,
For with it came no certain sign that God himself was there.
The rocks were riven, the trees up-torn, and strew'd in fragments round;
Yet unappall'd the prophet's soul could earth's commotion dare,
For with it came no certain sign that God himself was there.
And then more terribly sublime, the fire in fury came,
While forest-trees but serv'd to feed the fierceness of its flame;
Though howling beasts affrighted fled before its lurid glare,
Calm and unmov'd the prophet stood, and felt God was not there.
While forest-trees but serv'd to feed the fierceness of its flame;
30
Calm and unmov'd the prophet stood, and felt God was not there.
But when he heard the still, small voice;—upon his spirit fell
Its whisper'd accents with a power that bound him by its spell;
He in his mantle veil'd his face, and breath'd a voiceless prayer;
While every thought and feeling own'd that God himself was there!
Its whisper'd accents with a power that bound him by its spell;
He in his mantle veil'd his face, and breath'd a voiceless prayer;
While every thought and feeling own'd that God himself was there!
| The Reliquary | |