XX. MOSES. MOSES, the patriot fierce, became To shew us how love's quickening flame Moses, the man of meekest heart, Lost Canaan by self-will, To shew, where Grace has done its part, Thou, who hast taught me in Thy fear, Yet seest me frail at best, O grant me loss with Moses here, To gain his future rest! XXI. "And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds." MORTAL! if e'er thy spirits faint, By grief or pain opprest, Seek not vain hope, or sour complaint, But view thy bitterest pangs as sent Which is thy soul's just punishment Be thine own judge: hate thy proud heart; And while the sad drops flow, E'en let thy will attend the smart, And sanctify thy woe. XXII. DAVID NUMBERING THE PEOPLE. I am in a great strait-let me fall now into the hand of the Lord. IF e'er I fall beneath Thy rod, As through life's snares I go, And choose Thyself the woe. How should I face Thy plagues? which scare, And haunt, and stun, until The heart or sinks in mute despair, Or names a random ill. If else... then guide in David's path, Satan and man are tools of wrath, An Angel's scourge is gain. d. XXIII. Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. LORD, in this dust Thy sovereign voice First quickened love divine; I am all Thine,—Thy care and choice, My very praise is Thine. I praise Thee, while Thy providence For blessings given, ere dawning sense Blessings in boyhood's marvelling hour, Bright dreams, and fancyings strange; Blessings, when reason's awful power Gave thought a bolder range; Blessings of friends, which to my door And, choicer still, a countless store D Yet, Lord, in memory's fondest place I shrine those seasons sad, When, looking up, I saw Thy face In kind austereness clad. I would not miss one sigh or tear, Yes! let the fragrant scars abide, Faint shadows of the spear-pierced side, And such Thy loving force be still, Deny me wealth; far, far remove The lure of power or name; Hope thrives in straits, in weakness Love, And Faith in this world's shame. |