Messiah A Poem, in Twenty-Eight Books. By Joseph Cottle |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. | BOOK VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
 | Messiah |  |
96
BOOK VII.
Call of Abraham. Isaac offered up.
Messiah, far removed from human eye,
Calls up the blast, and bids the whirlwind fly,
And, on the heaven, convulsed by tempests, rides;
Now hurls the bolt, th' impetuous whirlwind guides;
Whilst the vast fountains of the deep are rent,
And death and horror throng the firmament.
He, from his canopy, to mortals dark,
The only hope of Man! beheld the Ark
Float o'er the waves triumphant, as the storm,
Still gathering strength, in every fearful form,
Confounded, stunn'd, perplex'd earth's trembling race.
From low, to high, from high, to higher place,
Frantic with dread, they speed, then ponder, sad,
Upon the heavens, in sable vesture clad,
From which th' intemperate lightnings, bursting, shew,
In sudden glance, the warring waves below—
That, terrible as madness bound in chains,
Seem but half roused to wrath that yet remains.
Calls up the blast, and bids the whirlwind fly,
And, on the heaven, convulsed by tempests, rides;
Now hurls the bolt, th' impetuous whirlwind guides;
Whilst the vast fountains of the deep are rent,
And death and horror throng the firmament.
He, from his canopy, to mortals dark,
The only hope of Man! beheld the Ark
Float o'er the waves triumphant, as the storm,
Still gathering strength, in every fearful form,
Confounded, stunn'd, perplex'd earth's trembling race.
From low, to high, from high, to higher place,
97
Upon the heavens, in sable vesture clad,
From which th' intemperate lightnings, bursting, shew,
In sudden glance, the warring waves below—
That, terrible as madness bound in chains,
Seem but half roused to wrath that yet remains.
These scenes are o'er, these terrors now are past!
The deaf'ning thunder, and the scathing blast,
Their fury long have spent, and every breast
Yielded its final pang, and sunk to rest!
Messiah saw the raging waves subside,
When all that lived, man, bird, and beast, had died;
He saw the Ark resign its precious store,
Noah the altar rear, and heaven adore;
Pouring the prayer to Him, whose sovereign sway
Preserved their lives, in that tremendous day
When all the impious sons of men beside
Were swept away in ruin vast and wide!
Messiah saw succeeding nations rise,
Still prone to sin, to make their refuge lies,
And, heedless of his judgments, rearing still
Altars to every God, on every hill!
To Gabriel, and to Michael, by his side,
Whilst sorrow fill'd his spirit, thus he cried.
The deaf'ning thunder, and the scathing blast,
Their fury long have spent, and every breast
Yielded its final pang, and sunk to rest!
Messiah saw the raging waves subside,
When all that lived, man, bird, and beast, had died;
He saw the Ark resign its precious store,
Noah the altar rear, and heaven adore;
Pouring the prayer to Him, whose sovereign sway
Preserved their lives, in that tremendous day
When all the impious sons of men beside
Were swept away in ruin vast and wide!
Messiah saw succeeding nations rise,
Still prone to sin, to make their refuge lies,
And, heedless of his judgments, rearing still
Altars to every God, on every hill!
98
Whilst sorrow fill'd his spirit, thus he cried.
“Noah, a pilgrim, long ordain'd to roam,
“Hath found at last, in death, a quiet home.
“His soul, redeem'd, hath reach'd a world of rest,
“To be by care, nor pain, no more opprest.
“But, lo! his Sons, their Father's ways, despise!
“Altars, on every side, with incense rise,
“But not to God! All flesh have gone astray!
“Their hearts to Ashtaroth false homage pay!
“To Moloch! stocks, and stones! in whom they see,
“Folly, which brutes might scorn! Divinity!
“All flesh have turn'd aside; they all explore
“New ways of evil—wandering more and more!
“I now might cast, justly, the lightning brand,
“And sweep the earth, but mercy holds my hand!
“This world, the work of an Almighty Power,
“Must not be form'd in vain!—No little tower,
“Now lifts its head to dare thè boundless sway
“Of Satan, whom, all lands, alike, obey!
“My favour, free and full, I now will shew,
“Not of desert, for all is sin below!
“And sin alone, from age to age would be,
“But for my love, Messiah's clemency!
“The first foundation stone, I now will lay
“Of Zion's Temple! which, in fair array,
“Erelong, shall lift its proud majestic form,
“And be to man a covert from the storm!”
“Hath found at last, in death, a quiet home.
“His soul, redeem'd, hath reach'd a world of rest,
“To be by care, nor pain, no more opprest.
“But, lo! his Sons, their Father's ways, despise!
“Altars, on every side, with incense rise,
“But not to God! All flesh have gone astray!
“Their hearts to Ashtaroth false homage pay!
“To Moloch! stocks, and stones! in whom they see,
“Folly, which brutes might scorn! Divinity!
“All flesh have turn'd aside; they all explore
“New ways of evil—wandering more and more!
“I now might cast, justly, the lightning brand,
“And sweep the earth, but mercy holds my hand!
“This world, the work of an Almighty Power,
“Must not be form'd in vain!—No little tower,
“Now lifts its head to dare thè boundless sway
“Of Satan, whom, all lands, alike, obey!
“My favour, free and full, I now will shew,
“Not of desert, for all is sin below!
99
“But for my love, Messiah's clemency!
“The first foundation stone, I now will lay
“Of Zion's Temple! which, in fair array,
“Erelong, shall lift its proud majestic form,
“And be to man a covert from the storm!”
Gabriel and Michael, whilst they both rejoice,
Hear, slow arising, soft, melodious, voice,
As tho' from angel choir, regardful, near,
Drawn down, exulting, from their blissful sphere,
Such dawn of hope to hail, such words to hear!
Hear, slow arising, soft, melodious, voice,
As tho' from angel choir, regardful, near,
Drawn down, exulting, from their blissful sphere,
Such dawn of hope to hail, such words to hear!
Messiah spake, light beaming from his face,
“One family, from all earth's fallen race,
“Will I select, to shew my sovereign grace.
“To form a countless army for the sky,
“I will my secret influence supply!
“Nor ever, from this hour, man's second birth,
“Without a witness leave the Sons of Earth.
“While scorn will lift her voice, with furious hate,
“The seer, the prophet, I will consecrate.
“My spirit shall descend, the source of love,
“To warn of sin, to point to worlds above!
“Thro' them to make the type and shadow tell
“Of one last triumph over vanquish'd hell!”
“One family, from all earth's fallen race,
“Will I select, to shew my sovereign grace.
“To form a countless army for the sky,
“I will my secret influence supply!
“Nor ever, from this hour, man's second birth,
“Without a witness leave the Sons of Earth.
“While scorn will lift her voice, with furious hate,
“The seer, the prophet, I will consecrate.
“My spirit shall descend, the source of love,
“To warn of sin, to point to worlds above!
100
“Of one last triumph over vanquish'd hell!”
The Angels pause, and, with intense desire,
Gaze at Messiah, while impatience, higher,
Still rises, to pursue the glorious theme,
How heaven, from chains of death, should man redeem.
Messiah spake. “The veil is cast before!
“Trust in Almighty Strength, and God adore!”
Thus saying, with his host, aloft he rose;
And now on Haran's land, his feet repose!
Gaze at Messiah, while impatience, higher,
Still rises, to pursue the glorious theme,
How heaven, from chains of death, should man redeem.
Messiah spake. “The veil is cast before!
“Trust in Almighty Strength, and God adore!”
Thus saying, with his host, aloft he rose;
And now on Haran's land, his feet repose!
The morn on Abraham dawn'd, and saw him bend
To idols vile, to whom his prayers ascend!
And from whose guardian power he seeks, alone,
Protecting smiles—his God, a stock! a stone!
Angels that saw the world from nothing rise,
And order fix, immutable, the skies,
View'd not a change more vast, than now awaits
Abraham, whose soul the joy of heaven elates!
Who from the dust of earth exalts his eye
To gaze, enrapt, on Immortality!
To idols vile, to whom his prayers ascend!
And from whose guardian power he seeks, alone,
Protecting smiles—his God, a stock! a stone!
Angels that saw the world from nothing rise,
And order fix, immutable, the skies,
View'd not a change more vast, than now awaits
Abraham, whose soul the joy of heaven elates!
Who from the dust of earth exalts his eye
To gaze, enrapt, on Immortality!
The Patriarch, returning from the prayer
Offer'd to idols! marks an Angel, fair,
Stately, draw near, to whom he bows the head,
Whilst his heart beat, with the mysterious dread!
Messiah spake (Messiah name unknown)
“Child of the earth, arise! Thy Maker own!
“No longer bend to idols, wood and stone,
“But worship God! Jehovah! Lord, alone!
“Vain man hath not true wisdom understood;
“Each heart hath wander'd from the Fount of Good,
“And, still pursuing evil, from proud height,
“But for my aid, would plunge in endless night.
“Thee have I chosen, from mankind around,
“To teach my fear, to make my name resound,
“To see salvation, and, the flame, to fan
“Of Truth Divine, amid rebellious man!
“Go forth from Haran! In the unknown land
“Of Canaan sojourn! At thy Lord's command,
“Fearless, go forth, whilst I, thy strength and stay,
“Will guard, and prosper thee thro' all thy way!”
101
Stately, draw near, to whom he bows the head,
Whilst his heart beat, with the mysterious dread!
Messiah spake (Messiah name unknown)
“Child of the earth, arise! Thy Maker own!
“No longer bend to idols, wood and stone,
“But worship God! Jehovah! Lord, alone!
“Vain man hath not true wisdom understood;
“Each heart hath wander'd from the Fount of Good,
“And, still pursuing evil, from proud height,
“But for my aid, would plunge in endless night.
“Thee have I chosen, from mankind around,
“To teach my fear, to make my name resound,
“To see salvation, and, the flame, to fan
“Of Truth Divine, amid rebellious man!
“Go forth from Haran! In the unknown land
“Of Canaan sojourn! At thy Lord's command,
“Fearless, go forth, whilst I, thy strength and stay,
“Will guard, and prosper thee thro' all thy way!”
Abraham arose, obedient, and alone
Went forth to sojourn in the land unknown;
His Father's house forsook, to wander wide,
Trusting in God, and calm as even-tide.
O'er many a weary hill, and trackless road,
To Canaan's land he past, and there abode;
Dwelling 'mid rites, idolatrous and vile,
Where deadliest evils flourish'd, fraud and guile,
Murder, with injury swift, and justice slow,
'Mid hearts that never felt another's woe.
Here, like the bow of heaven, that shines around,
While all beside is mist and gloom profound,
Abraham appear'd, standing from each apart,
His eye serene, and glory in his heart,
Nor built he not the altar. 'Mid the sway
Of Satan, proudly ruling, day by day,
Sweet incense from his heart, the offering free,
He lights the hallow'd fire, and bends the knee!
Went forth to sojourn in the land unknown;
His Father's house forsook, to wander wide,
Trusting in God, and calm as even-tide.
102
To Canaan's land he past, and there abode;
Dwelling 'mid rites, idolatrous and vile,
Where deadliest evils flourish'd, fraud and guile,
Murder, with injury swift, and justice slow,
'Mid hearts that never felt another's woe.
Here, like the bow of heaven, that shines around,
While all beside is mist and gloom profound,
Abraham appear'd, standing from each apart,
His eye serene, and glory in his heart,
Nor built he not the altar. 'Mid the sway
Of Satan, proudly ruling, day by day,
Sweet incense from his heart, the offering free,
He lights the hallow'd fire, and bends the knee!
Time rolls along, The silvery lock appears,
With faith still growing with the growth of years.
The eve was calm, the sun, in glory, shines
Yet lovelier, as his lordly head declines;
Whilst nature slept on beds of gold and green,
And not a murmur broke the deep serene.
Before his tent, the Patriarch mark'd the sky,
Its majesty of pomp, and raised his eye,
Whilst gratitude, with awe, inspired his soul,
Adoring, to that God who form'd the whole.
Abraham from dreams awakes that bound him strong,
And views three distant Strangers pass along.
Hasting, with pity-prompted voice he cried.
“Turn not from me, and from my words, aside.
“If in thy sight, my Lord, I favour find,
“Haste to yon tree. Your sandals there unbind,
“And from my tent, let me some water bear
“To wash your feet. Oh! let me food prepare,
“In hospitable plenty, on this seat,
“And cheer your spirit in the noon-tide heat;
“Then shall you pass along, and I will pray
“That God may guide and guard you on your way.”
He gazed upon the Strangers. None replies.
When, as he look'd, to his astonish'd eyes
One statelier rose, majestic more and more,
Till now the Angel Presence stands before!
With faith still growing with the growth of years.
The eve was calm, the sun, in glory, shines
Yet lovelier, as his lordly head declines;
Whilst nature slept on beds of gold and green,
And not a murmur broke the deep serene.
Before his tent, the Patriarch mark'd the sky,
Its majesty of pomp, and raised his eye,
Whilst gratitude, with awe, inspired his soul,
103
Abraham from dreams awakes that bound him strong,
And views three distant Strangers pass along.
Hasting, with pity-prompted voice he cried.
“Turn not from me, and from my words, aside.
“If in thy sight, my Lord, I favour find,
“Haste to yon tree. Your sandals there unbind,
“And from my tent, let me some water bear
“To wash your feet. Oh! let me food prepare,
“In hospitable plenty, on this seat,
“And cheer your spirit in the noon-tide heat;
“Then shall you pass along, and I will pray
“That God may guide and guard you on your way.”
He gazed upon the Strangers. None replies.
When, as he look'd, to his astonish'd eyes
One statelier rose, majestic more and more,
Till now the Angel Presence stands before!
Abraham, obeisance made! The Angel cried,
“Heaven is thy portion! God thy friend and guide!
“This fruitful land, which flows with milk and wine,
“Oh! favour'd of the Highest, shall be thine.”
“Heaven is thy portion! God thy friend and guide!
“This fruitful land, which flows with milk and wine,
“Oh! favour'd of the Highest, shall be thine.”
The Patriarch, still gazing on the ground,
Whilst awe and reverence his spirit drown'd,
Thus answer made, pressing his aged breast;
“A thousand gifts, but one above the rest,
“God hath bestow'd. My Helpmeet, kind and dear,
“With smiles has sooth'd me thro' my sojourn here,
“Guided, in many a strait, my dubious feet,
“And smooth'd life's rugged road with converse sweet:
“All other gifts I own, with grateful soul,
“But Sarah, loved and loving, crowns the whole!
“Yet round my bounteous board, no offspring stands!
“My flocks and herds must pass to other hands!
“Oh! cheerless thought, which I in vain deplore,
“A stranger must inherit all my store!”
104
Thus answer made, pressing his aged breast;
“A thousand gifts, but one above the rest,
“God hath bestow'd. My Helpmeet, kind and dear,
“With smiles has sooth'd me thro' my sojourn here,
“Guided, in many a strait, my dubious feet,
“And smooth'd life's rugged road with converse sweet:
“All other gifts I own, with grateful soul,
“But Sarah, loved and loving, crowns the whole!
“Yet round my bounteous board, no offspring stands!
“My flocks and herds must pass to other hands!
“Oh! cheerless thought, which I in vain deplore,
“A stranger must inherit all my store!”
The Angel spake. “Behold the drops of dew!
“Behold the stars, in glory ever new,
“Which tell to man of worlds beyond his view!
“Behold the sands upon the shore that lie,
“Countless as these, thy seed shall multiply,
“Whilst, as the onward rounds of time retire,
“Nations to thee shall look, and call thee Sire!”
“Behold the stars, in glory ever new,
“Which tell to man of worlds beyond his view!
“Behold the sands upon the shore that lie,
“Countless as these, thy seed shall multiply,
“Whilst, as the onward rounds of time retire,
“Nations to thee shall look, and call thee Sire!”
Abraham bent low, and, with the starting tear,
Answered, “Unworthy, Lord! thy words I hear!
“Day follows night, the calm succeeds the storm,
“And what thou say'st, I know thou wilt perform!”
Again he bow'd, the reverence deep to pay,
When into air the Angels past away!
Answered, “Unworthy, Lord! thy words I hear!
105
“And what thou say'st, I know thou wilt perform!”
Again he bow'd, the reverence deep to pay,
When into air the Angels past away!
As time had now his destin'd moments run,
Sarah, tho' old, to Abraham bears a Son.
Fair flower he was, whose beauties, opening still,
All hearts delight, all eyes with gladness fill.
Abraham now wish'd, with roving fancy blind,
Half form'd desire, a flash that cross'd his mind!
That Heaven, one other Son, would deign to give
That if his Isaac died, his hope might live.
But checking faithless fear, the thought arose
Of God! and, lo, his spirit found repose.
Sarah, tho' old, to Abraham bears a Son.
Fair flower he was, whose beauties, opening still,
All hearts delight, all eyes with gladness fill.
Abraham now wish'd, with roving fancy blind,
Half form'd desire, a flash that cross'd his mind!
That Heaven, one other Son, would deign to give
That if his Isaac died, his hope might live.
But checking faithless fear, the thought arose
Of God! and, lo, his spirit found repose.
Once more, whilst morn, in clouds refulgent brake,
The Angel clothed in light, drew near, and spake.
“To do my sovereign will, prepare thy mind!
“Up! From thy tent arise! Thy sandals bind!
“Forth, with thy Son, thy noblest gift below,
“Haste to the distant hill, which I will shew;
“Amid Moriah's land obedient go,
“And Isaac offer up, sweet sacrifice,
“Even thy Son in whom thy treasure lies!”
The Angel clothed in light, drew near, and spake.
“To do my sovereign will, prepare thy mind!
“Up! From thy tent arise! Thy sandals bind!
“Forth, with thy Son, thy noblest gift below,
“Haste to the distant hill, which I will shew;
“Amid Moriah's land obedient go,
106
“Even thy Son in whom thy treasure lies!”
The tear of anguish rolls, slow down his cheek,
When, with a spirit more subdued and meek,
Isaac he sought, and cried. “When first the sun,
“On the next morn, rises his course to run,
“We to the distant land must speed, and there
“Offer the sacrifice, with praise and prayer.”
Isaac replied. “Before the orient, grey,
“Calls up the lark to hail the coming day,
“My Father! I, thy mandate, will obey!”
When, with a spirit more subdued and meek,
Isaac he sought, and cried. “When first the sun,
“On the next morn, rises his course to run,
“We to the distant land must speed, and there
“Offer the sacrifice, with praise and prayer.”
Isaac replied. “Before the orient, grey,
“Calls up the lark to hail the coming day,
“My Father! I, thy mandate, will obey!”
The dawn arrives! Isaac prepared appears.
Before his tent, the ass his burden bears,
And, whilst, in dewy beam, all nature smiled,
The scatter'd herbage crops, as morning mild.
Lo! from the door, with pensive look and slow,
The Patriarch advances, whilst, her woe,
Sarah in vain would hide. Amid the tear,
Earnest, she strove, her lord, her child, to cheer.
“Go!” she exclaim'd. “Jehovah be your friend!
“'Mid day to guide you and thro' night defend!
“Oh! may my lord his presence still possess,
“Whose smile, at home, abroad, is happiness!
“Oh! may my son, my Isaac, soon return,
“And bid his weeping Mother cease to mourn!”
The Patriarch cast the look, which Sarah knew,
And fell the word, the whisper sweet—“Adieu!”
Before his tent, the ass his burden bears,
And, whilst, in dewy beam, all nature smiled,
The scatter'd herbage crops, as morning mild.
Lo! from the door, with pensive look and slow,
The Patriarch advances, whilst, her woe,
Sarah in vain would hide. Amid the tear,
Earnest, she strove, her lord, her child, to cheer.
“Go!” she exclaim'd. “Jehovah be your friend!
“'Mid day to guide you and thro' night defend!
107
“Whose smile, at home, abroad, is happiness!
“Oh! may my son, my Isaac, soon return,
“And bid his weeping Mother cease to mourn!”
The Patriarch cast the look, which Sarah knew,
And fell the word, the whisper sweet—“Adieu!”
To reach th' appointed place, with sober speed,
Abraham, his Son, his servants twain, proceed;
And now the towering hills, in misty form,
Hang on th' horizon, like the gathering storm.
The hoary Father marks, amid the gloom,
One mountain-top, the fire of heaven illume!
He knows the sign! Bending his reverend head,
A moment's space he paus'd, then slowly said.
“My servants, faithful still, your master heed!
“I, with the lad, my Son, alone, will speed
“To yonder hill, to worship there, and raise
“An Altar to the Lord, with prayer and praise.
“You, with the ass, abide!” Thus having said,
The wood he placed on Isaac's willing head,
And whilst one hand the unsheath'd knife sustains,
The other bears the fire! Abraham maintains
Silence unwonted. Isaac oft desired,
The cheerful word, but back again retired
From speaking, when he knew his Father's will,
And saw his heart, with God, communing still!
At length he cried. “Tho' duteous Son I am,
“The wood, the fire are here, but where the lamb?”
The Father answer'd. “We must patient speed!
“God will provide the sacrifice we need!”
Abraham, his Son, his servants twain, proceed;
And now the towering hills, in misty form,
Hang on th' horizon, like the gathering storm.
The hoary Father marks, amid the gloom,
One mountain-top, the fire of heaven illume!
He knows the sign! Bending his reverend head,
A moment's space he paus'd, then slowly said.
“My servants, faithful still, your master heed!
“I, with the lad, my Son, alone, will speed
“To yonder hill, to worship there, and raise
“An Altar to the Lord, with prayer and praise.
“You, with the ass, abide!” Thus having said,
The wood he placed on Isaac's willing head,
And whilst one hand the unsheath'd knife sustains,
The other bears the fire! Abraham maintains
108
The cheerful word, but back again retired
From speaking, when he knew his Father's will,
And saw his heart, with God, communing still!
At length he cried. “Tho' duteous Son I am,
“The wood, the fire are here, but where the lamb?”
The Father answer'd. “We must patient speed!
“God will provide the sacrifice we need!”
With toilsome step, o'er cragged road and steep,
Up to the mount they haste, 'mid silence deep:
And as they reach'd the pinnacle ordain'd,
Abraham, with nature, painful strife sustain'd,
Then answer'd firm, amidst the bursting sigh,
“Thou art the Offering! Thou, my Son! must die!”
To Isaac's heart, horror, the word convey'd!
The Father wept! The lad no answer made!
And whilst a solemn stillness mark'd the air,
In thought, tho' heard of heaven, each pour'd the prayer.
Abraham thus spake.
Up to the mount they haste, 'mid silence deep:
And as they reach'd the pinnacle ordain'd,
Abraham, with nature, painful strife sustain'd,
Then answer'd firm, amidst the bursting sigh,
“Thou art the Offering! Thou, my Son! must die!”
To Isaac's heart, horror, the word convey'd!
The Father wept! The lad no answer made!
And whilst a solemn stillness mark'd the air,
In thought, tho' heard of heaven, each pour'd the prayer.
Abraham thus spake.
“My Son! no choice is mine.
“Thou still art dear! It is the Will Divine!
“God spake and said. ‘Up to Moriah speed!
“And, on the Altar, there, let Isaac bleed!
“Have faith in me. Be not with grief opprest,
“For in thy seed, all nations shall be blest.’
“That God, whose power, the earth, the heaven's obey,
“Shall call thee up from death, nor thou delay!”
Isaac, submissive bow'd. And now the Sire,
The Altar rears, prepares the wood, the fire!
The willing Offering bends! Behold him lie,
Stretch'd on the funeral pile, prepared to die.
Abraham, upon his Son, one moment gazed,
Then, for the deed of death, the weapon rais'd!
“Withhold thy hand!”—An Angel speaks aloud.
“Hurt not the Lad!” Abraham with reverence bow'd.
He knew the voice! The well-known Angel cried,
“Thou hast not, at my call, thy Son denied!
“Warm'd, with a faith, so strong, that holiest flame!
“The Father of the Faithful be thy name!”
“Thou still art dear! It is the Will Divine!
“God spake and said. ‘Up to Moriah speed!
109
“Have faith in me. Be not with grief opprest,
“For in thy seed, all nations shall be blest.’
“That God, whose power, the earth, the heaven's obey,
“Shall call thee up from death, nor thou delay!”
Isaac, submissive bow'd. And now the Sire,
The Altar rears, prepares the wood, the fire!
The willing Offering bends! Behold him lie,
Stretch'd on the funeral pile, prepared to die.
Abraham, upon his Son, one moment gazed,
Then, for the deed of death, the weapon rais'd!
“Withhold thy hand!”—An Angel speaks aloud.
“Hurt not the Lad!” Abraham with reverence bow'd.
He knew the voice! The well-known Angel cried,
“Thou hast not, at my call, thy Son denied!
“Warm'd, with a faith, so strong, that holiest flame!
“The Father of the Faithful be thy name!”
The Patriarch look'd, and saw, at hand, display'd,
A Ram, whose branching horns, the thicket stay'd!
Seizing, he placed him on the Altar, rude,
And homeward, then, with joy, his way pursued.
A Ram, whose branching horns, the thicket stay'd!
Seizing, he placed him on the Altar, rude,
And homeward, then, with joy, his way pursued.
| Messiah | |