| |
| THROUGH the desert wild and dreary, | |
| Following tracks explored by few, | |
| Sad at heart, and worn, and weary, | |
| We our toilsome march pursue. | |
| O’er our heads with blaze unclouded | 5 |
| Burns the fierce and fiery noon; | |
| Pestilence in darkness shrouded | |
| Near us walks beneath the moon. | |
| |
| O’er the steep and pathless mountain | |
| Oft with bleeding feet we climb; | 10 |
| Scarce to taste the desert fountain— | |
| Human hate allows no time. | |
| Israel’s homes lie far behind us, | |
| Yet we pause not to look back, | |
| Lest the keen pursuer find us, | 15 |
| Lest grim murder scent our track. | |
| |
| Eagles o’er our heads are whirling, | |
| Each careering towards her nest; | |
| E’en the wolf and fox are stealing | |
| To the covert of their rest; | 20 |
| Every foul and noxious creature | |
| Finds on earth its lair and bed; | |
| But the Infant Lord of Nature | |
| Hath not where to lay his head. | |
| |
| Yes, my babe, sweet sleep enfolds Thee | 25 |
| On Thy fainting mother’s arm; | |
| God in His great love beholds thee, | |
| Angels guard thy rest from harm. | |
| Earth and hell in vain beset Thee, | |
| Kings against thy life conspire; | 30 |
| But our God can ne’er forget thee, | |
| Nor His arm that shields thee, tire. | |
| |
| Where is now our peaceful dwelling? | |
| Wrapt perchance in vengeful flame; | |
| Ruffian voices round it yelling | 35 |
| Curses on thy gentle name. | |
| Woe to Bethlehem’s matrons, keeping | |
| Tenderest watch above their dead! | |
| Rachel for her children weeping, | |
| Knows not to be comforted. | 40 |
| |
| Woe to them!—and yet their anguish | |
| Fades before what mine must be; | |
| Doom’d to see my lov’d one languish | |
| Through this life’s long misery. | |
| Doom’d to see Earth’s hate expended | 45 |
| On his meek and lowly head, | |
| Till his weary task is ended— | |
| Till his sinless blood is shed. | |
| |
| Heavenly hope shall soothe their sorrow, | |
| When the grass begins to wave, | 50 |
| After many a dreary morrow, | |
| Freshly o’er each infant grave. | |
| I alone to rest a stranger, | |
| Must behold with aching eye, | |
| O’er my child distress and danger | 55 |
| Gathering still incessantly. | |
| |
| But forbear, my sinful spirit, | |
| Of thy chastening to complain; | |
| Gladly let me here inherit | |
| Toil and sorrow, care and pain! | 60 |
| Welcome Earth’s most dread vexations! | |
| Welcome anguish and distress! | |
| Since my name all generations | |
| For a Saviour’s love shall bless. | |
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