244 THE SHEPHERDS' PLAIN. Bearer of our sins' sad load, Judah's Lion, Lamb of God! 4 Mighty King of righteousness, Never shall thy kingdom cease! Thee, earth's heir and Lord, we own; Raise again its fallen throne, Take its everlasting crown. Blessed Babe of Bethlehem, Owner of earth's diadem, Claim, and wear the radiant gem. Scatter darkness with thy light, Spoil the spoiler of the earth, Promised day of song and mirth THE SHEPHERDS' PLAIN. 245 'Tis thine Israel's voice that calls, Build again thy Salem's walls, Dwell within her holy halls. 'Tis thy Church's voice that cries, Rend these long unrended skies, Bridegroom of the Church, arise. Take to thee thy power and reign, Purify this earth again; Cleanse it from each curse and stain. Sun of peace, no longer stay, Let the shadows flee away, And the long night end in day. Let the dayspring from on high, That arose in Judah's sky, Babe of Bethlehem, to thee, Infant of eternity, Everlasting glory be! COME, LORD. "Senuit mundus."-AUGUSTINE. COME, Lord, and tarry not: Bring the long-looked-for day, Oh why these years of waiting here, Come, for thy saints still wait; Daily ascends their sigh; The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, Dost thou not hear the cry ? Come, for creation groans, Impatient of thy stay, Worn out with these long years of ill, These ages of delay. Come, for thy Israel pines, An exile from thy fold; O call to mind thy faithful word, And bless them as of old. COME, LORD. Come, for thy foes are strong; With taunting lip they say, "Where is the promised Advent now, And where the dreaded day?" Come, for the good are few; Come, for the truth is weak, Its subtle poison o'er the earth,- Come, for love waxes cold, Its steps are faint and slow; Faith now is lost in unbelief, Hope's lamp burns dim and low. Come, for the grave is full, Earth's tombs no more can hold, The sated sepulchres rebel, And groans the heaving mould. 247 248 COME, LORD. Come, for the corn is ripe, Reap the great harvest of the earth ;— Come, in thy glorious might, Come, spoil the strong man's house, Come, and make all things new, Build up this ruined earth, Restore our faded Paradise, Creation's second birth. Come, and begin thy reign Of everlasting peace, Come, take the kingdom to thyself, Great King of righteousness. |