Page:Poems Toke.djvu/24

16

In scenes of wonder meet his raptured gaze;
And one bright Star—one orb of heavenly light,
Sheds gathering radiance o'er his spirit's night,
Till thus, with kindling eye and heaving breast,
As if with streams of burning thought oppressed,
His hallowed words come o'er the monarch's ear,
In tones of peace he loved not then to hear!

  "How lovely 'neath that evening beam
  Thy bannered lines, O Israel, seem,
Far stretched in beauty o'er the desert plain!
  Like gardens by the river's side,
  Like cedars near the sparkling tide,
Thy wandering homes repose in peace again!

  "Yes, Jacob shall indeed be blest!—
  By many a stream his seed shall rest,
And lift his ensign towards the boundless skies.
  Before him every foe shall bow,
  And mightier far than Agag now,
In glorious power his King shall soon arise.

  "From Egypt's land of fear and pain
  The Lord hath brought him forth again,
And led him safely on with monarch hand:
  His arm shall bring distress and woe
  On every proud rebellions foe,
And sweep with terror all their vanquished land.

  "Now, like the couching lion's rest,
  He slumbers on the desert's breast;