Poems (Dodd)/Pool of Bethesda
POOL OF BETHESDA.
The Saviour saw the summer sun o'er Cana's heights decline,Where at the marriage feast he turned the water into wine;And dark the shades of night came down upon the eastern sea,Which rolls its blue and sounding waves in ancient Galilee.
On, to Jerusalem he came, nor paused the leagues to count,Through Bethany, and green Bethpage, over the Olive Mount;And entering by the eastern gate his weary way he kept,To where Bethesda's healing pool beneath the sunlight slept.
Around its brink, in sad array, affliction's sons were laid,On whom were poured the heavy ills no human power could aid;There waited they, till o'er the wave an angel's wing should move,And he who first might wash therein its healing gift would prove.
There was the blind, whose life had been one scene of darkened hours,Who never saw the cheering sun, or the fresh-springing flowers;Though voices sweet and bounding steps came round his pathway dim,No smile of love, or glance of joy, could give their light to him.
There were the feeble and the maimed, the withered and the lame,Yet with a child-like trustfulness to the blue wave they came;And Hope, whose star had almost set upon their clouded night,Now plumed her worn and weary wings, and waved her banner bright.
Fair was the Sabbath morn which smiled upon the gathering throng;But one was there, with sandal soiled by journey faint and long,Who could not pass the suffering by, or pity's meed refuse;And round in idle wonder stood the unbelieving Jews.
In the green summer of his days more helpless that a child,Was one to whom the Saviour turned with look and accent mild."Thou hast seen many saddened years of weariness and pain;Wouldst thou rejoice in strength restored? wouldst thou be whole again?"
"Would the wrecked mariner be glad a saving sail to see?Or the bond-slave refuse the aid which bids him wander free?But oh! all vainly do I hope the healing wave to win,Ere I can move my helpless limbs another steps therein."
"No longer shall a powerless frame, join with a soaring soul,To war against thy happiness; arise, and be thou whole!"And many doubting eyes looked on, the wondrous cure to see,As forth amid the crowd he walked with step and action free.
Trust we in Him; unlike the Jews, who would not faith be taught,E'en by the many miracles the blessed Jesus wrought;And come to him, with all our woes, who healing can impart,E'en for the deepest, worst disease, the sickness of the heart.