Zinzendorff and Other Poems/Expostulation

by Lydia Huntley Sigourney

For works with similar titles, see Expostulation.

EXPOSTULATION.

To man reproving Nature said
    "I formed thee soft and mild,
And laid thee on thy cradle-bed
    A tender, tearful child;
Thy feeble wail, thy lisping word,
The soul of kind affection stirred
    To guard thy helpless state;
By fragrant flower and tuneful grove,
I taught my dialect of Love,
    How art thou turned to Hate."

Meek pity spake.—"I lured thy heart
    From every cruel deed,
To take the trampled insect's part,
    The famished sparrow feed,—
How dost thou scorn my plaintive prayer!
And like the Lion from his lair
    The savage combat wage!
Thy brother of the clay destroy,
And with a fierce, demoniac joy
    Seek the red battle's rage."

Religion came with dewy eye,
    And mournful was her tone;
"I taught thee of that glorious sky
    Where discord is unknown,

I bade thee sow the seeds of peace,
And share those joys that never cease,
    Which no rude sorrows mar;
And hast thou all my love forgot,
My sacred precepts heeded not,
    But bartered Heaven for War?"