As when thou wentest forth to fling The curse upon the shuddering King, Yet reeking with the blood--the sinless blood he spilt. And all that thou hast braved and borne, The Heathen's hate, the Heathen's scorn, The wasting famine, and the galling chain,Henceforth these things to thee shall seem The phantoms of a bygone dream; And rest shall be for toil, and blessedness for pain. Such visions of deep joy might roll O'er the submissive river's bed, And took his on ward way from Jordan's refluent tide. High converse held those gifted Seers And mercy sealed, and truth made manifest at last. Thus as they reasoned, hark! on high On rushing wheels, each wheel a star, And bore the Prophet thence,--O whither? —to his home! With head thrown back, and hand upraised, As his loved teacher passed for aye away ; "Alas, my father!" still he cried, "One look--one word to soothe and guide!Chariot and horse are gone from Israel's tents today!" Earth saw the sign ;--Earth saw and smiled, As to her Maker reconciled; With gladder murmur flowed the streams along; Trembled the conscious cedar trees, And all around the birds breathed gratitude in song. And viewless harpstrings from the skies Rang forth delicious harmonies; And strange sweet voices poured their grateful hymn; And radiant eyes were smiling through The tranquil ether's boundless blue, The eyes of Heaven's high host, the joyous Seraphim. And Piety stood musing by, And Penitence with downcast eye; Faith heard with raptured heart the solemn call, To the far shores of that blest land, Sent forth her voice of praise,-" for him, O God,— for all!" Death frowned far off his icy frown,* The monarch of the iron crown, First-born of Sin, the universal foe; Twice had his baffled darts been vain; Death trembled for his tottering reign, And poised the harmless shaft, and drew the idle bow. Sons of the Prophets, do ye still Look through the wood and o'er the hill, For him, your lord, whom ye may ne'er behold ?— O dreamers, call not him, when day Fades in the dewy vale away, Nor when glad morning crests the lofty rocks with gold! Peace! call that honored name no more, By Kedron's brook, or Siloa's holy fount; Henceforth ye never more may meet, Meek learners, at your master's feet, To gaze on that high brow, those piercing eyes; * "Stassi da un lato Morte furibonda, Che l'arco ha teso, ed a scoccar s'appresta Ver la rapita a lei salma seconda-" Salomone. And hear the music of that voice Whose lessons bade the sad rejoice, Said to the weak, "Be strong!" and to the dead, "Arise!" Go, tell the startled guards that wait In arms before the palace gate "The Seer of Thesbe walks no more on earth :" The king will bid prepare the feast; And tyrant prince and treacherous priest Will move with haughtier step, and laugh with louder mirth. And go to Zarephath, and say What God's right hand hath wrought to-day "Our comforter is gone, our friend, our only one!" Nay, deem not so! for there shall dwell To tread the path which erst Elijah trod; But he before the throne of grace Hath his eternal dwelling-place; His head is crowned with an unfading crown; And in the book, the awful book On which the Angels fear to look, The chronicle of Heaven, his name is written down. Too hard the flight for Passion's wings, Yet the false Sanhedrim will weave And some in after years will tell* Rays of rich glory, an unearthly stream; Of Israel judged by sword and flame, That wondrous child the judge, upon his father's dream. Elijah in the battle's throng Shall urge the fiery steeds along, Hurling the lance, lifting the meteor sword: Elijah in the day of doom Shall wave the censer's rich perfume, To turn the wrath aside, the vengeance of the Lord. Vain, vain! it is enough to know That in his pilgrimage below He wrought Jehovah's will with steadfast zeal; See Bayle's Dictionary, Art. "Elijah." |