 | Poems |  |
32
THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
O Shepherd, all divine,
Thou that dost guide thy wayward, wandering sheep
Through quiet pastures, and their pathway keep
Where the fresh grass springs, and the waters pine
Through pleasant meadows; where the blossoms sleep
Till dawn awakes them, and the dew-beads shine;
Is there within thy fold yet room? May I be thine?
Thou that dost guide thy wayward, wandering sheep
Through quiet pastures, and their pathway keep
Where the fresh grass springs, and the waters pine
Through pleasant meadows; where the blossoms sleep
Till dawn awakes them, and the dew-beads shine;
Is there within thy fold yet room? May I be thine?
Thou through the sultry day
Keepest the tender guidance of thy flock;
And in the shadow of some towering rock,
When the cool morning freshness dies away,
Hid'st them, till twilight's shadowy gates unlock,
And stars shine out upon their onward way,
And the tired, bleating lambs upon thy heart dost lay.
Keepest the tender guidance of thy flock;
And in the shadow of some towering rock,
When the cool morning freshness dies away,
Hid'st them, till twilight's shadowy gates unlock,
And stars shine out upon their onward way,
And the tired, bleating lambs upon thy heart dost lay.
When the red sun is gone,
And on the mountain-crest the streaks of light
Have vanished from the watcher's straining sight,
And in the tree-tops fitful breezes moan:
Through all the fearful sounds that haunt the night,
Thou leav'st them not in darkness, and alone,
But with thy soothing voice still comfortest thine own.
And on the mountain-crest the streaks of light
Have vanished from the watcher's straining sight,
And in the tree-tops fitful breezes moan:
Through all the fearful sounds that haunt the night,
Thou leav'st them not in darkness, and alone,
But with thy soothing voice still comfortest thine own.
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There till the dawn they lie
Clustered about thee, helpless but secure;
Since thou who didst for them so long endure
To walk the rugged hilly ways, and try
With bleeding feet their track, to prove it sure,
Though now unseen for darkness, still art nigh;
They fear not any foes beneath thy watchful eye.
Clustered about thee, helpless but secure;
Since thou who didst for them so long endure
To walk the rugged hilly ways, and try
With bleeding feet their track, to prove it sure,
Though now unseen for darkness, still art nigh;
They fear not any foes beneath thy watchful eye.
Oh that I too were there!
Trembling and weak, safe folded in thy breast:
With thee to wander and beside thee rest,
Drinking at those clear springs and rivers fair:
In thy dear love and light forever blest,
O patient Shepherd! take me to thy care!
From thy forgiving heart cast not away my prayer.
Trembling and weak, safe folded in thy breast:
With thee to wander and beside thee rest,
Drinking at those clear springs and rivers fair:
In thy dear love and light forever blest,
O patient Shepherd! take me to thy care!
From thy forgiving heart cast not away my prayer.
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