So sweetly, exquisitely wild, It spake the Muse of Sorrow's child. O Pillow! then, when light withdrew, Soon from those waking dreams he woke; Stript of his fondest, dearest claim, Yet other secret griefs had he, Thus thy guardian angel spoke, "Prisoner, long det&in'd below; Thus thy guardian angel sang, Ye that mourn a father's loss, Grief and penury and pain Yet while travelling in distress, And along that vale of tears Till his Master, from above, Now in deep and dreadful gloom, Black as if the day of doom Lo! the lightning breaks from high,— God is coming!—God is nigh! Hear ye not His chariot wheels, Nature, startled Nature reels, Tremble! ocean, earth, and sky Tremble!—God is passing by! Darkness, wild with horror, forms Should He, from His ark of storms, At the judgment of his eye, All the universe would die. Brighter, broader lightnings flash, Louder, deeper thunders crash, Struggling Nature gasps for breath In the agony of death. God of vengeance from above, O remember Thou art Love! Stay Thy flaming wrath a while, See Thy bow of promise smile! Welcome, in the eastern cloud, Messenger of mercy still! "Peace on Earth, to Man good will!" K |