The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter | ||
A LEGEND.
I
The Monk was preaching: strong his earnest word,From the abundance of his heart he spoke,
And the flame spread—in every soul that heard
Sorrow and love and good resolve awoke:—
The poor lay Brother, ignorant and old,
Thanked God that he had heard such words of gold.
II
“Still let the glory Lord be thine alone,”So prayed the Monk; his heart absorbed in praise:
“Thine be the glory: if my hands have sown
The harvest ripened in Thy mercy's rays,
It was Thy Blessing Lord that made my word,
Bring light and love to every soul that heard.
458
III
“Oh Lord I thank Thee that my feeble strengthHas been so blest; that sinful hearts and cold
Were melted at my pleading—knew at length
How sweet Thy service and how safe Thy fold:
While souls that loved Thee saw before them rise
Still holier heights of loving sacrifice.”
IV
So prayed the Monk: when suddenly he heardAn Angel speaking thus—“Know, oh my Son,
Thy words had all been vain, but hearts were stirred,
And Saints were edified and sinners won
By his, the poor lay Brother's, humble aid
Who sat upon the Pulpit stair and prayed.”
The Complete Works of Adelaide A. Procter | ||