 | A New Year's Eve, and Other Poems |  |
218
VERSES
SUGGESTED BY AN OLD ETCHING FROM REMBRANDT, OF CHRIST ASLEEP IN THE STORM.
“Master, carest thou not that we perish?”
Mark iv. 38.
Mark iv. 38.
Such was the disciples' cry
When the crested waves beat high,
And the heavens above were dark
O'er the tempest-driven bark.
When the crested waves beat high,
And the heavens above were dark
O'er the tempest-driven bark.
Such, O Lord! in trial's hour,
When afflictions round us lower,
Now, on life's tempestuous sea,
Our complaining cry to Thee.
When afflictions round us lower,
Now, on life's tempestuous sea,
Our complaining cry to Thee.
219
But thou didst not, though upbraided,
Leave thy followers then unaided;
Prompt to succour, swift to save,
Thou rebukedst wind and wave.
Leave thy followers then unaided;
Prompt to succour, swift to save,
Thou rebukedst wind and wave.
At the word which spoke thy will,
Every stormy wind was still;
At thy voice the waves subsided,
And in gentlest murmurs glided.
Every stormy wind was still;
At thy voice the waves subsided,
And in gentlest murmurs glided.
Though their faith, too often frail,
In thy power divine might fail,
Though thou mightst reprove their fear,
Still thy saving arm was near.
In thy power divine might fail,
Though thou mightst reprove their fear,
Still thy saving arm was near.
Thus, O Lord! on us look down,
When above us clouds may frown;
Tossing on a stormy sea,
Helpless, hopeless, but for Thee.
When above us clouds may frown;
Tossing on a stormy sea,
Helpless, hopeless, but for Thee.
220
Should we deem ourselves forgot,
Let thy mercies fail us not;
But in doubt's distrustful hour,
Magnify Thy love and power
Let thy mercies fail us not;
But in doubt's distrustful hour,
Magnify Thy love and power
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