Safe on these walls I sit, and stem "The elements that conquered them; "Though envied place I may not claim "On warrior's crest, or lady's hair; 66 Though tongue may never speak my name, "Nor eye behold and own me fair ; "To Him, who tends me from the sky, "I spread my beauties here on high, "And bid the winds to waft above 66 My incense to His throne of love. "And though in hermit solitude, "Aloft and wild, my home I choose, "On the rock's bosom pillowed rude, And nurtured by the falling dews; "Yet duly with the opening year "I hang my golden mantle here. "A child of God's I am, and He "Nor deem my state without its bliss: "Mine is the first young smile of day; "Mine the light zephyr's earliest kiss ; "And mine the skylark's matin lay. "These are my joys: with these on high "In peace I hope to live and die, “And drink the dew, and scent the breeze, "As blithe a flower as Flora sees." Bloom on, sweet moralist! Be thine And teach them what to seek and shun! Bloom on, and show the simple glee That dwells with those who dwell like thee; From noise, and glare, and folly driven, To thought, retirement, peace, and heaven. Shew them, in thine, the Christian's lot, For all they most pursue and prize. Frail, like thyself, fair flower, is he, And beat by every storm and shower ; Yet on a Rock he stands, like thee, And braves the tempest's wildest power. And there he blooms, and gathers still And, pleased with what his lot has given, He lives to God, and looks to heaven. JEHOVAH-JIREH. WHEN earthly joys glide swift away, Thy nature, Lord, no change can know ; Thy promise still is sure; And ills can ne'er so hopeless grow But Thou canst find a cure. Deliverance comes most bright and blest At danger's darkest hour; And man's extremity is best To prove Almighty power. |