Page:Selections from the American poets (IA selectamerpoet00bryarich).pdf/292
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Thomas C. Upham.
I may not turn away
From the charm'd brow and I have heard his name
Even as a prophet by his people spoken;
And that high brow in death bears seal and token
Of one whose words were flame.
Oh, holy teacher! couldst thou rise and live,
Would not those hush'd lips whisper, "I forgive?"
Away with lute and harp,
With the glad heart for ever, and the dance!
Never again shall tabret sound for me!
Oh, fearful mother! I have brought to thee
The silent dead, with his rebuking glance,
And the crush'd heart of one to whom is given
Wild dreams of judgment and offended Heaven!
From the charm'd brow and I have heard his name
Even as a prophet by his people spoken;
And that high brow in death bears seal and token
Of one whose words were flame.
Oh, holy teacher! couldst thou rise and live,
Would not those hush'd lips whisper, "I forgive?"
Away with lute and harp,
With the glad heart for ever, and the dance!
Never again shall tabret sound for me!
Oh, fearful mother! I have brought to thee
The silent dead, with his rebuking glance,
And the crush'd heart of one to whom is given
Wild dreams of judgment and offended Heaven!
THE MILLENNIAL DAY.
"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters that cover the sea."—Isa. xi., 9.
Upon God's holy mountain all is peace.
Of clanging arms, and cries, and wail, no sound
Goes up to mingle with the gentle breeze,
That bears its perfumed whispers all around.
Beneath its trees, that spread their blooming light,
The spotted leopard walks; the ox is there;
The yellow lion stands in conscious might,
Breathing the dewy and illumined air.
A little child doth take him by the mane,
And leads him forth, and plays beneath his breast.
Naught breaks the quiet of that bless'd domain,
Naught mars its harmony and heavenly rest:
Picture divine and emblem of that day,
When peace on earth and truth shall hold unbroken sawy.
Of clanging arms, and cries, and wail, no sound
Goes up to mingle with the gentle breeze,
That bears its perfumed whispers all around.
Beneath its trees, that spread their blooming light,
The spotted leopard walks; the ox is there;
The yellow lion stands in conscious might,
Breathing the dewy and illumined air.
A little child doth take him by the mane,
And leads him forth, and plays beneath his breast.
Naught breaks the quiet of that bless'd domain,
Naught mars its harmony and heavenly rest:
Picture divine and emblem of that day,
When peace on earth and truth shall hold unbroken sawy.