Zinzendorff and Other Poems/"Peace I leave with you"

by Lydia Huntley Sigourney

"Peace I leave with you.”—John xiv, 27.

 
"Peace" was the song the Angels sang,
    When Jesus sought this vale of tears,
And sweet that heavenly prelude rang,
    To calm the watchful shepherds' fears,—
"War" is the word that man hath spoke,
    Convuls'd by passions dark and dread,
And Pride enforc'd a lawless yoke
    Even while the Gospel's banner spread.

"Peace" was the prayer the Saviour breathed
    When from our world his steps withdrew,
The gift he to his friends bequeathed
    With Calvary and the Cross in view:—
Redeemer! with adoring love
    Our spirits take thy rich bequest,
The watchword of the host above,
    The passport to their realm of rest.