The Christian year thoughts in verse for the Sundays and holidays throughout the year ... hundredth edition [by John Keble] |
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The Restoration of the Royal Family.
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 | The Christian year |  |
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The Restoration of the Royal Family.
Aud Barzillai said unto the King, How long have I to live, that I
should go up with the King unto Jerusalem? 2 Samuel xix. 34.
As when the paschal week is o'er,
Sleeps in the silent aisles no more
The breath of sacred song,
But by the rising Saviour's light
Awaken'd soars in airy flight,
Or deepening rolls along ;
Sleeps in the silent aisles no more
The breath of sacred song,
But by the rising Saviour's light
Awaken'd soars in airy flight,
Or deepening rolls along ;
The while round altar, niche, and shrine,
The funeral evergreens entwine,
And a dark brilliance cast,
The brighter for their hues of gloom,
Tokens of Him, who through the tomb
Into high glory pass'd:
The funeral evergreens entwine,
And a dark brilliance cast,
The brighter for their hues of gloom,
Tokens of Him, who through the tomb
Into high glory pass'd:
Such were the lights and such the strains,
When proudly stream'd o'er Ocean plains
Our own returning Cross;
For with that triumph seem'd to float
Far on the breeze one dirge-like note
Of orphanhood and loss.
When proudly stream'd o'er Ocean plains
Our own returning Cross;
For with that triumph seem'd to float
Far on the breeze one dirge-like note
Of orphanhood and loss.
305
Father and King, O where art thou?
A greener wreath adorns thy brow,
And clearer rays surround;
O for one hour of prayer like thine,
To plead before th' all-ruling shrine
For Britain lost and found!
A greener wreath adorns thy brow,
And clearer rays surround;
O for one hour of prayer like thine,
To plead before th' all-ruling shrine
For Britain lost and found!
And he
, whose mild persuasive voice
Taught us in trials to rejoice,
Most like a faithful dove,
That by some ruin'd homestead builds,
And pours to the forsaken fields
His wonted lay of love:
Taught us in trials to rejoice,
Most like a faithful dove,
That by some ruin'd homestead builds,
And pours to the forsaken fields
His wonted lay of love:
Why comes he not to bear his part,
To lift and guide th' exulting heart?—
A hand that cannot spare
Lies heavy on his gentle breast:
We wish him health: he sighs for rest,
And Heaven accepts the prayer.
To lift and guide th' exulting heart?—
A hand that cannot spare
Lies heavy on his gentle breast:
We wish him health: he sighs for rest,
And Heaven accepts the prayer.
Yes, go in peace, dear placid spright,
Ill spared; but would we store aright
Thy serious sweet farewell,
We need not grudge thee to the skies,
Sure after thee in time to rise,
With thee for ever dwell.
Ill spared; but would we store aright
Thy serious sweet farewell,
We need not grudge thee to the skies,
Sure after thee in time to rise,
With thee for ever dwell.
Till then, whene'er with duteous hand,
Year after year, my native Land
Her royal offering brings,
Upon the Altar lays the Crown,
And spreads her robes of old renown
Before the King of Kings,
Year after year, my native Land
306
Upon the Altar lays the Crown,
And spreads her robes of old renown
Before the King of Kings,
Be some kind spirit, likest thine,
Ever at hand, with airs divine
The wandering heart to seize;
Whispering, “How long hast thou to live,
“That thou shouldst Hope or Fancy give
“To flowers or crowns like these?”
Ever at hand, with airs divine
The wandering heart to seize;
Whispering, “How long hast thou to live,
“That thou shouldst Hope or Fancy give
“To flowers or crowns like these?”
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