Bible Stories and Religious Classics Part 33

Sweet Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave, Let me once know.

I sought thee in a secret cave, And ask'd, if Peace were there?

A hollow wind did seem to answer, "No:-- Go seek elsewhere."

I did; and going did a rainbow note: Surely, thought I, This is the lace of Peace's coat: I will search out the matter.

But while I look'd, the clouds immediately Did break and scatter.

Then went I to a garden, and did spy A gallant flower, The Crown Imperial: Sure, said I, Peace at the root must dwell.

But when I digg'd, I saw a worm devour What show'd so well.

At length I met a reverend good old man: Whom when for Peace I did demand, he thus began: "There was a Prince of old At Salem dwelt, who lived with good increase Of flock and fold.

"He sweetly lived; yet sweetness did not save His life from foes.

But after death, out of his grave There sprang twelve stalks of wheat: Which many wondering at, got some of those To plant and set.

"It prosper'd strangely, and did soon disperse Through all the earth: For they that taste it do rehea.r.s.e, That virtue lies therein; A secret virtue, bringing peace and mirth By flight of sin.

"Take of this grain, which in my garden grows, And grows for you; Make bread of it:--and that repose And peace, which everywhere With so much earnestness you do pursue, Is only there."

_--G. Herbert_

A SONG OF PRAISE

To G.o.d, ye choir above, begin A hymn so loud and strong That all the universe may hear And join the grateful song.

Praise Him, thou sun, Who dwells unseen Amidst transcendent light, Where thy refulgent orb would seem A spot, as dark as night.

Thou silver moon, 'ye host of stars, The universal song Through the serene and silent night To listening worlds prolong.

Sing Him, ye distant worlds and suns, From whence no travelling ray Hath yet to us, through ages past, Had time to make its way.

a.s.sist, ye raging storms, and bear On rapid wings His praise, From north to south, from east to west, Through heaven, and earth, and seas.

Exert your voice, ye furious fires That rend the watery cloud, And thunder to this nether world Your Maker's words aloud.

Ye works of G.o.d, that dwell unknown Beneath the rolling main; Ye birds, that sing among the groves, And sweep the azure plain;

Ye stately hills, that rear your heads, And towering pierce the sky; Ye clouds, that with an awful pace Majestic roll on high;

Ye insects small, to which one leaf Within its narrow sides A vast extended world displays, And s.p.a.cious realms provides;

Ye race, still less than these, with which The stagnant water teems, To which one drop, however small, A boundless ocean seems;

Whate'er ye are, where'er ye dwell, Ye creatures great or small, Adore the wisdom, praise the power, That made and governs all.

_--P. Skelton_

THE TRAVELLER

How are thy servants blest, O Lord!

How sure is their defence!

Eternal wisdom is their guide, Their help, Omnipotence.

In foreign realms, and lands remote, Supported by Thy care, Through burning climes I pa.s.s'd unhurt, And breathed in tainted air.

Thy mercy sweeten'd every soil, Made every region please; The h.o.a.ry Alpine hills it warm'd, And smoothed the Tyrrhene seas.

Think, O my soul, devoutly think, How, with affrighted eyes, Thou saw'st the wide-extended deep In all its horrors rise.

Confusion dwelt in every face, And fear in every heart; When waves on waves, and gulfs on gulfs, O'ercame the pilot's art.

Yet then from all my griefs, O Lord, Thy mercy set me free; Whilst, in the confidence of prayer, My soul took hold on Thee.

For though in dreadful whirls we hung High on the broken wave, I knew Thou wert not slow to hear, Nor impotent to save.

--The storm was laid; the winds retired, Obedient to Thy will; The sea that roar'd at Thy command, At Thy command was still.

_--J. Addison_

TRUE GREATNESS

The fairest action of our human life Is scorning to revenge an injury: For who forgives without a further strife His adversary's heart to him doth tie: And 'tis a firmer conquest truly said To win the heart, than overthrow the head.

If we a worthy enemy do find, To yield to worth, it must be n.o.bly done:-- But if of baser metal be his mind, In base revenge there is no honor won.

Who would a worthy courage overthrow?

And who would wrestle with a worthless foe?

We say our hearts are great, and cannot yield; Because they cannot yield, it proves them poor: Great hearts are task'd beyond their power but seld: The weakest lion will the loudest roar.

Truth's school for certain does this same allow, High-heartedness doth sometimes teach to bow.

_--Lady E. Carew_

CHARACTER OF A HAPPY LIFE