 | [To George Thompson, in] Songs of the free and hymns of Christian freedom |  |
123
To George Thompson.
I've heard thee when thy powerful words
Were like the cataract's roar—
Or like the ocean's mighty waves
Resounding on the shore.
Were like the cataract's roar—
Or like the ocean's mighty waves
Resounding on the shore.
But even in reproof of sin,
Love brooded over all—
As the mild rainbow's heavenly arch
Rests on the waterfall.
Love brooded over all—
As the mild rainbow's heavenly arch
Rests on the waterfall.
I've heard thee in the hour of prayer,
When dangers were around:
Thy voice was like the royal harp,
That breathed a charmed sound.
When dangers were around:
Thy voice was like the royal harp,
That breathed a charmed sound.
The evil spirit felt its power,
And howling turned away;
And some, perchance, ‘who came to scoff,
Remained with thee to pray.’
And howling turned away;
And some, perchance, ‘who came to scoff,
Remained with thee to pray.’
124
I've seen thee, too, in playful mood,
When words of magic spell
Dropped from thy lips like fairy gems,
That sparkled as they fell.
When words of magic spell
Dropped from thy lips like fairy gems,
That sparkled as they fell.
Still great and good in every change!
Magnificent and mild!
As if a seraph's godlike power
Dwelt in a little child!
Magnificent and mild!
As if a seraph's godlike power
Dwelt in a little child!
| [To George Thompson, in] Songs of the free and hymns of Christian freedom | |