276 REDEMPTION.
Whither thou cam'st, return ; the issue wait, Till I for vict'ry strive o'er sin and death."
Nor longer now th' ethereal envoy staid, But heavenward griefful, took his upward way. Then turn'd the Sorrowful towards the three, Who, worn with sadness, slept the hour of pray'rj And bending o'er them, gently thus he breath'd :
" Sleep on and take your rest; the hour 'sdat hand, In which the Son of Man shall be betray'd." And when at length the doleful hour arrived ; " Arise," he said, " let us go hence ; for lo, He, who betrayeth me, is now at hand."
E'en whilst he spake, the traitor thief advanced, And gave the treach'rous sign to those he led "Whom I shall kiss, hold fast; the same is he." And forthwith coming to the Lord, he said "Rabboni hail!" and Him with baseness kiss'd.
The stars their faces veil'd, sad Nature groan'd, Night's foul wing'd birds took sinister their flight; Earth, heaving, toss'd her troubled waves on high ; Hell leap'd with joy, and her infernal pow'rs, In triumph, hail'd the end of all their toils.
" Whom seek ye ?" sadly griev'd the Master ask'd.
" Jesus of Nazareth ;" the base replied.
When thus the Victim meekly " I am He. But why come out as 't were against a thief, Me, arm'd with swords and staves, to apprehend, Who daily with you in the temple sat Teaching, and none would raise his hand to seize? If me ye seek, then let these go their way."
Awed by his voice, deport, majestic mien, And ardor kindling on his sacred brow,
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