Henry Alford

Fragments Of A Long-Pondered Poem.

I. That wrath divine I sing, whose bitter curse Weighed heavy on the race chosen of God; What time the holy city, favoured once With His high presence, was with armies girt, And all her gladness into mourning turned. Say, thou who once above Jerusalem Didst sheathe thy glittering sword, Angel of Death! When the forewarnèd king his altar reared, Humble, on Ornan's floor: for thou dost know What first, what last, in process dread, went forth From the Eternal's armoury of wrath, Sorrow too vast for human heart to hold, Destruction past example in all time. But chiefly Thou, to whom the thoughts of men Lie bare and open, from Thine inner stores Take of the things divine, and show them me; Much sought by nightly prayer and daily toil, Shine on Thy servant, foolish else, and dark, And all unfit to meditate high themes; But haply, in Thy light beholding light, Some rays of truth, though dimmed, he may reflect Into the haunt and concourse of mankind, And utter forth, in strains of solemn verse, God's voice of warning to the sons of men. Tell first, what cause of moment did incite A braham's Lord and Isaac's Fear, to thrust Thus hotly from His presence, whom His arm So long had shielded;--whom He planted in The mountain of His own inheritance? For not the murmurs on their desert path, Massah, nor Meribah, nor those false signs Remphan and Moloch, nor the offerings vile Of Baal--peor, grieved Thee, Spirit divine, As this, nor all the foul idolatries Of Israel, or more cherished Judah, drove The God of Jacob to cast off his own. Nor yet that day, when Babylon's fierce king Slew in the sanctuary all the flower of youth, And burned the house of God, till that the land Enjoyed her Sabbaths, might with this compare; So foul the slaughter was: without, within, Inexorable vengeance without stint Launched its red shafts against the fated race. Say, then, what cause aroused such wrath in Heaven? The cry of holy blood: that on the soil Relentless poured, sent upward unto God Its dread and silent witness evermore: Prophet and priest and heaven--sent messengers Cast out and foully slain: but chiefly His, That Man of sorrows. . . . . II. Now had the Son of God his upward path Accomplished to Heaven's gates, which open stood Greeting the Victor: He, for thus seemed best, Alone, as all alone He had achieved His mighty errand, through the yielding air Buoyant, those adamantine portals passed, But not unwelcomed: such a shout burst forth From all Heaven's armies, now in order bright Marshalled; and through clear ether jubilant, Ten thousand times ten thousand sweetest notes Swelled the full concord: while unnumbered harps Woke into rapturous music: ``Lo, He comes-- The Saviour of the world--the mighty Lord! All power is given to Him in heaven and earth; The name that is above all other names, That before Him should every creature bow!'' He through the middle way of highest Heaven Passed meekly on. Love from his countenance Shed softest light, blended with purest joy; And as He went, effulgent streams of flame, Kindled by recent glory reassumed, Thickened around Him: Heaven beneath sent up Her fragrant incense, with thick springing flowers Bursting in various hues; with native pearl And flexile ruby, as a bride bedecked. Now had the Saviour to the holiest place Approached, where from the Father's secret throne Issues the counsel of the will divine. This reached, He stood, first man of all our race Appearing at the judgment--seat of God; In death by His own power subduing death, Spotless from sin; the Godhead into flesh Not turned, but taking manhood into God. Forth with, unwonted radiance, pure and mild, (For gaze, though of the clearest sight in heaven That throne erewhile endured not,) issued forth; So that all faces, reverently bent In lowly worship, beamed with silent joy, The while the Voice divine approval spoke: ``Sit thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool; bring within the veil Thine human form, thus pure in righteousness; Be Thou the King and Judge of heaven and earth; Stand Thou beside the throne for man; here plead Thy merits, and with grateful sacrifice Be Thou the great High Priest, by whom alone Shall man draw nigh to God, and meet with grace. '' To whom the Saviour thus in prayer replied: ``Father, I will that on the race of men Thou shouldst bestow another Comforter, That He may ever with Thy Church abide; Even the Spirit of truth, whom I will send, My promise made of old, now due by Me. '' Thus spake the Son of God: and over heaven Effluent, as odour from deep fields of balm, Passed the Almighty Spirit: not then first Sent forth . . . . III. A lone place by the Garden of Gethsemane. First Christian. A voice from the East! Prophets, (unseen. ) Arm of the Lord, awake! Second Christian. A voice from the West! Martyrs, (unseen. ) Sword of the Lord, come forth! First Chris. Seven nights, as I beneath the starry skies Wandered, in heavenly contemplation--wrapt, Have those drear sounds been uttered on mine ear. Second Chris. Seven nights, in flashes through the dusky air, Mysterious visitants have come and gone; And all Mount Zion, and Moriah's hill, Twinkle with sudden gleams of spear and shield. First Chris. To--day at sunrise were we breaking bread; And when the hymn, ``Thrice Holy,'' passed away, Sweet voices in the air took up the strain,-- ``Glory to Thee, O Lord most high,'' they sung, Majestic angel voices jubilant: And then, like mighty forests heard from far, Responsive breathed unnumbered hosts around. Second Chris. Hear yet. 'Tis said that some have seen the Lord: How on yon Mount of Olives yesternight He stood, and sternly o'er the city towers Lifted His piercèd hand. Certain it is The cup of wrath is full--the doom is near; The day of vengeance of the Elect is come! Gabriel (unseen. ) Arise--depart! IV. Ephesus. --A sick chamber. The holy Angels watching by a bed. They sing softly. Thou that art highly favoured, once more hail! Not now with maiden blush, Starting at the sudden guest Speaking o'er thee salutation strange; Not now among thy flowers Sitting shaded from the noon, thyself Fairest lily of all Palestine-- Yet once more hail! Thou that art blessed among women, hail! Hail to Thy feebleness, Evening glory of Thine hoary head, Western brightness of Thine heavenward eye, Lit now by faith and hope; Foremost Thou of all the saintly band, Standing on the brink of Jordan stream, Once more hail! Mother of God Incarnate, hail, all hail! Hail flower of womanhood; Sweetly slumbering at whose favoured breast Jesus, holy Child, drew human strength; At whose deep, fond eyes Daily gazing, in long draughts He drew Human love, to blend with power Divine: Hail, all hail!