The Poetical Works of George Barlow :: :: University of Virginia Library

Barlow, George

II.

II.

II.

III.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

XI.

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Lo! this night the Lord descending
Comes on earth to dwell.
Evil's bitter reign is ending,
And the power of hell.

Neither Greek nor Roman poet,
Great-souled though they be,
Read God's secret.—Who shall know it?
Darkness, or the sea?

Greek and Roman, full of learning,
Full of strength and might,
Sought for God, their strong hearts yearning
Godward in the night.

Wise men worshipped God for ages;
Builded temples grand:
Graved their souls on deathless pages;
Wrought in many a land.

All these sought for God, and found him,
In a measure,—each:
Sought for God, and loved, and crowned him;
Secrets all could teach.

But to-night the love immortal
Through the gate of time
Passes: makes life's fleshly portal
Evermore sublime.

Woman now is pure for ever,
No more man's sad slave.
Let man's heart disdain her never
Whom God bends to save!

Through her sweet lips cometh sorrow
Sometimes—let that be!
When the bright dawn breaks to-morrow
Over land and sea;

When we weary stars are turning
Homeward to our rest;
When the golden sun is burning
On the mountain's crest;

Light yet nobler this shall presage:
For to-morrow morn
Through the world shall thrill the message
“Jesus Christ is born!”