W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
Nativity of John the Baptist
Gerard Moultrie (1829–1885)H
Day by prophetic lips foretold,
When from the shadow of the tomb
The page of life shall be unrolled:
The daylight dawns: the bright beams glow;
First witness of that light art thou.
Less than the least in heaven’s domain,
Last of the old world, called away
Ere God in man restores His reign:
Thou seest the dawn climb up the skies,
Yet may’st not see the Sun arise.
Shall flood the plains of earth with light,
Thou may’st not feel them: ’tis thy lot
To stand upon the skirts of night:
Didst thou not long to see that morn?
Rejoice: thou seest the daylight dawn.
Elias drives his fiery car,
On thee his mantle may unfurl
With spirit and with power from far:
Jordan for thee may part once more,
But earth lies on the farther shore.
And cry, “The Lord’s highway prepare!
Heaven’s promised kingdom is at hand,
Make straight the rugged pathways there:
Lay low the hills His steps before,
Who comes with fan to purge His floor.
He comes to burn the chaff with fire,
And He will gather in His wheat
Upon the day of wrath and ire:
The axe is laid unto the root,
Woe to the tree that bears no fruit!”
Last threatening accents from above,
Sole birthday in the Church’s year
Which veils in death the law of love;
Our God to light for all who die
Brings life and immortality.