University of Virginia Library

XLVII.STERN FRIEND.

Stern Friend! with what a passionate eloquence
And deep voice thou didst plead,
Till thy words cut like knives, through every sense,
Making my heart to bleed!
The spirit of old times went from thee there,
As lightning bold and keen,
And still unhealed the seams and furrows, where
That lightning passed, are seen.
Alas! it was a most unworthy dream
That with my youth had grown,—
An earthly lure with a false winning gleam
Of Heaven about it thrown.
'Twas a brave thought to think that thou couldst tear
The idol from its shrine,
And rear a nobler, heavenlier image there
Than that old dream of mine.
Still, as thy hurried gesture waxed more fierce,
My thoughts drew further in,
Shrinking from that quick eye which seemed to pierce
The last thin veil of sin.
I watched thee like an abject, guilty thing,
And wept with shame and fear,
Whilst thou didst lay thy hand on me, and bring
The gleaming Cross more near;
And my whole being quailed with agony,
And writhed with burning smart,
When thou didst lift its bright, sharp edge on high,
And plant it in my heart.
Friend! I am conquered now, and all my powers
With holier impulse burn,
And yet I dare not trust myself when hours
Of languid ease return.
Then do I envy wild sea-birds that float,
And wish that we could be
Rocking for ever in a little boat
On some blue sunny sea:
And I would fain be dreaming, while the tide
Of active change doth roll,
That we at anchor and at ease might ride
Safe in each other's soul.
It may not be: I and my dreams must part,—
Part in the blood that flowed,
Where the stern Cross ran deepest in my heart,
Tearing its cruel road.
That pool of blood shall stand for ever there
Where the dread Sign took root,
So shall the Cross have plants and blossoms rare
Grow up around its foot.
The watch-tower steps are fallen to decay,
Broken in every stone,
And it is perilous to wind one's way
To that high place alone.
But, wert thou with me there, the wildest night
Would not seem dark or long;
And we would sing old Psalms till morning light
Broke in upon our song.
And should these rebel dreams of earth arise
Against my hardy vow,
Then shall I dread a friend that can chastise
As faithfully as thou!