 | Thoughts in Verse |  |
SLUICE THE DYKE.
[_]
In the year 1574, when Holland was struggling to throw off the yoke of Spain, Leyden was besieged by Philip II, and reduced to a state of famine. Multitudes perished of hunger. The Dutch fleet was waiting to help them, but could not reach the city. The heroic Hollanders sluiced the dykes and let in the waters which flooded the country and drowned many of the Spaniards. As the rescuing fleet sailed in, they threw loaves of bread to the famishing people, who thronged the canals. After their immediate wants had been supplied they repaired to the Protestant Cathedral and held a service of thanksgiving to the Great Deliverer.
It was famine-stricken Leyden,
Which, by Philip was besieged;
There was reigning death and horror,
And the most distressing need.
Which, by Philip was besieged;
There was reigning death and horror,
And the most distressing need.
Its defenders brave were dying;
Not in charge or battle shock;
But were perishing by thousands
From starvation grim and dark.
Not in charge or battle shock;
But were perishing by thousands
From starvation grim and dark.
Prayers of agony were uttered,
Constant, pleading, earnest prayer,
That their God would send deliverance,
Send His conquering legion there.
Constant, pleading, earnest prayer,
That their God would send deliverance,
Send His conquering legion there.
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And He heard their prayer of sorrow—
For before another day,
He directed them in wisdom,
And provided them a way.
For before another day,
He directed them in wisdom,
And provided them a way.
Even now was succor waiting
To deliver from their foes,
But it could not reach the city,
For the great dykes interpose.
To deliver from their foes,
But it could not reach the city,
For the great dykes interpose.
Anxious is that Fleet of Holland,
With supplies the brave to reach:
But on all sides they're confronted
By a wall—the gateless beach.
With supplies the brave to reach:
But on all sides they're confronted
By a wall—the gateless beach.
“Shall we perish here from hunger,
When salvation is in sight?
While our friends await to rescue,
Shall we starve?—or sluice the dyke?”
When salvation is in sight?
While our friends await to rescue,
Shall we starve?—or sluice the dyke?”
Then these Hollanders heroic
For their lives and freedom strike;
See! they cut away the timbers!
They have done it! sluiced the dyke!
For their lives and freedom strike;
See! they cut away the timbers!
They have done it! sluiced the dyke!
With a roar sweeps in the Old Rhine,
Swelling canals like a sea—
On its waves the Fleet of Rescue!
They are saved! yes, they are free!
Swelling canals like a sea—
On its waves the Fleet of Rescue!
They are saved! yes, they are free!
Oh what joy that Dutch Fleet bringeth!
Blessings! blessings! on their head!
For unto that starving concourse
They are throwing loaves of bread.
Blessings! blessings! on their head!
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They are throwing loaves of bread.
'Tis Thanksgiving Day in Leyden,
And their feet with one accord
Seek with joy the great Cathedral,
There to praise their gracious Lord!
And their feet with one accord
Seek with joy the great Cathedral,
There to praise their gracious Lord!
Trust Him, He will ever rescue;
Those who ask Him, He will save;
Bring to naught the strength of foemen,
Send deliverance to the brave!
Those who ask Him, He will save;
Bring to naught the strength of foemen,
Send deliverance to the brave!
Are you bound with chains of passion?
Will you not for freedom strike?
He will give you His salvation,
If you will but sluice the dyke!
Will you not for freedom strike?
He will give you His salvation,
If you will but sluice the dyke!
Pride and sin are dykes around us,
And intemperance is rife.
Shall we suffer on and perish—
When He freely offers Life?
And intemperance is rife.
Shall we suffer on and perish—
When He freely offers Life?
No! we, too, like men of Leyden,
Must for our salvation strike!
We must cut away all hindrance!
Yes, like heroes—sluice the dyke!
Must for our salvation strike!
We must cut away all hindrance!
Yes, like heroes—sluice the dyke!
May 27, 1887.
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