Poems (Hoffman)/Rock of Ages
ROCK OF AGES1884
"Rock of Ages," sang the maiden,Knew she not of fear or dread,Stifling air with hot smoke ladenBeat about her youthful head.
Red flames curled above, below her,Shrieks of terror rent the air,Angry flames leaped closer, closer'Till they almost touched her hair;
Still the song's sweet, peaceful musicRose above the wails of woe"Till the breezes bore it downwardTo the hurrying crowd below.
"Hark!" they said, "Who is it singing?"And they strained their eyes to seeWhile the sweet song went on ringingForth its peaceful melody.
Dimly through the smoke and blacknessThey beheld a woman's formClinging to an upper casementSinging midst the fiery storm;
Listened they in breathless silenceThrough that burning, seething sea,Came the words distinctly, clearly:"Rock of Ages cleft for me."
"Raise the ladders, we will rescueHer who sings mid fire and smoke.""I will go, she shall not perish,"Thus the strong, brave fireman spoke;
Soon they reached the lonely figureStanding on death's frightful brink,The flames almost caught her garmentsBut she did not pause or shrink;
Back again to earth they brought herTo the frightened, wondering throngAnd they asked in eager questionsAll about her wondrous song.
"Could I fear," she said, "when o'er meSeeing, hearing, knowing allThere was One who ever watchfulHeeds the sparrows when they fall?"
Wondrous faith, to stand there singingWith what seemed her dying breath,Sweetest song when angels listened,Glorious victory over death!