The Kings And Queens Of England With Other Poems Part 6

Three times at this meeting the question was asked, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"

And though grieved, yet how truly could Peter reply, "Lord thou knowest all things, thou know'st I love thee."

Thrice this same Peter his Lord had denied, And had he not reason reproaches to fear?

Oh, no! for his Saviour had all this forgiven, He saw his repentance, he knew it sincere.

That disciple soon followed his Lord whom he loved, And many long ages have since pa.s.sed away; But the parting command still remains in full force, And will ever remain so till time's latest day.

Many wolves in sheep's clothing are still to be found, Whom Satan fails not to instruct and employ; They enter the fold, and with most specious wiles, Seek the young of the flock to ensnare and destroy.

And shall we dare call ourselves followers of Christ, And yet his known precepts presume to evade?

Ah! stop and reflect, what's the test that's required?

"If ye love me, keep my commandments," he said.

June 26, 1852.

"G.o.d IS LOVE."

Come blest Spirit from above, Come and fill my heart with love; Love to G.o.d, and love to man, Love to do the good I can; Love to high, and love to low, Love to friend, and love to foe.

Love to rich, and love to poor, Love to beggar at my door.

Love to young, and love to old, Love to hardened heart and cold.

Love, true love, my heart within For the sinner, _not the sin_; Love to holy Sabbath day, Love to meditate and pray, Love for love, for _hatred_ even; _Love like this, is born of Heaven_.

TO MY FRIEND MRS. LLOYD

My very dear friend Should never depend Upon anything clever or witty, From a poor country wight When attempting to write, To one in your far famous city.

Indeed I'm inclined, To fear that you'll find These lines heavy, and quite out of joint; And now I declare, It's no more than fair, Should this prove a dull letter, That you write me a better; And something that's quite to the point.

This having premised As at present advised, I'll indulge in the thoughts that incline, Not with curious eye The dim future to spy, But glance backward to "Auld Lang Syne."

If I recollect right, It was a cold day quite, And not far from night When _the Boarding School famous_ I entered.

Now what could I do?

Scarce above my own shoe Did I dare take a view, Or to speak, or e'en move hardly ventured.

At this school I remained Till supposed to have gained Education quite good and sufficient; But one in those days, Thought deserving of praise, Would in these, be deemed very deficient.

And here we will try Before the mind's eye, To bring forward a few of that household; There were the witty, Also the pretty, But some very plain, Not a few very vain, And among them the phlegmatic and cold.

Though it seems out of place I will here find a s.p.a.ce For some few in the lower apartment; Sure this must be right, They contributed quite To our comfort, in their humble department.

Here's Lydia and Polly, And Peter the jolly, With teeth white as ivory And cheeks black as ebony, So from Africa doubtless was he; But we'll ascend from below, And see entering just now With a Parisian bow And all in a glow Gay Monsieur Pichon, And French teacher Faucon; Also V----, the Musician, And B----, Mathematician.

Monsieur Laboltierre, So brisk and debonnair Had also been there; And there's Eggleston fair, With whom none might compare.

Miss W----, romantic, Miss F----, transatlantic, And of others a score you might see.

But here I propose The long list to close, With addition of only one name; Amidst the gay throng Was one lovely and young, Who brought sunshine wherever she came.

She had light brown hair, Was graceful and fair, Of children many Youngest of any, And Margaret this maiden they call; A sweet smile she had That round her lips played, And with eyes bright and blue She'd a heart warm and true And disposition affectionate withal.

One advantage she'll allow That I have over her now, The same in our youthful days, when On our studies intent Over school desk we bent, Her Senior I always have been.

How like to a dream Do those days to me seem, When with others preparing to enter On the world's great stage, And with light heart engage Our part in the drama to venture.

Of that school there's not one Except thee alone, Whom now living as friend I can claim; Some have departed, Some are false hearted, And their friendship exists but in name.

But that friendship's long lived That forty years has survived, And may we not hope 'twill endure, When in flames of fire This earth will expire, And old time shall itself be no more.

July 12, 1852.

ESCAPE OF THE ISRAELITES,

AND DESTRUCTION OF PHARAOH.

Ah! short-sighted monarch, dost thou think to pursue The Israel of G.o.d, and recapture them too?

Hast thou so soon forgotten the plagues on thee sent, Or so hardened thy heart that thou can'st not relent?

Then make ready thy chariots, a long way they'll reach; Thou hast six hundred chosen, a captain to each.

Now after them _hasten_, no time's to be lost, That G.o.d worketh for them, thou'st felt to thy cost.

_Speed thee then, speed thee_, thou'lt soon them o'ertake, Thou hast so overtasked them they're powerless and weak.

Ah! weak and defenceless they truly appear, But the Lord is their rock, they're his special care.

See that pillar that's leading them all on their way, It's a bright cloud by night and a dark cloud by day; And now by the Red Sea behold they encamp, But _hark_! what's that sound, it's the war horse's tramp.

Look up, see thy enemy close by thee now, The sea lies before thee, ah! what canst thou do?

Moses bids them go forward at G.o.d's command, When the waters divide, and they walk on dry land; And the cloud that to Egypt is darkness all night, To the children of Israel, is a bright shining light.

And now have the Hebrews all safely pa.s.sed through The Red Sea, which Pharaoh a.s.saying to do Is destroyed with his host, every one of them drowned, Not a man saved alive, not a _single man found_ To return to lone Egypt, the sad news to bear To the widows and orphans made desolate there.

But list! hear the rescued their glad voices raise, And to timbrel and dance add the sweet song of praise, For Pharaoh hath perished beneath the dark sea, And the long enslaved Hebrews are happy and free.

July 14, 1852.

HYMN,

SUNG AT THE ORDINATION OF THE REV. HENRY ALLEN.

We meet to-day as ne'er before, To greet a pastor of our choice, Without a single jarring note, And without one dissenting voice.

Oh thou who art enthroned on high, Before whom holy angels bow, Be pleased to hear us when we sing, Accept the praises offered now.

Let no one present, dare to give, The service of the lip alone; Or think if they the heart withhold, 'Twill find acceptance at thy throne.

But with united heart and voice, A grateful tribute we would raise; Oh bless us all a.s.sembled now, Help us to pray, and help to praise.

Thou great Immanuel, who didst lead Thy Israel all the desert through; Like them we're weak and helpless quite, Oh! condescend to lead _us_ too.

And when our Shepherd with his flock Before thy throne shall re-appear, May every one acceptance find, And ceaseless praises offer there.

Sept. 1852.