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Show 468 And to the many mnrtyrs in this ctmse, Already made, my yearning spirit feels, Its sworn alliance. I will die like them, Dut cannot fly their graves! I dart. not fly, Though death awaits me here, and, soft, afar, Sits safety in the cloud and beckons me." m. "And leave thy flock to perish ?"-Thw the voice, Reproachful to the patriarch.-" No," he cried, "They shall partake the sweet security, Of the far home of refuge thou a.ssign'st. They shall go forth from bondage nnd from death: The path made free to them, their feet shall take; My counsels shall direct them, and my soul Still struggle in their service. Those who fly, Best moved by fond obcdience,-with few tics To fasten the devoted heart to earth, And looking but to heaven ;-and those lvho still, With that fond passion of home which fetters roo, Prefer to look upon their graves in France,Sball equally command my care and toil, Though not alike my presence. They who go forth To the far land of promise which awaits them, Mine eye shall watch across the mighty deep, And still my succors reach them, while the power Is mine for human providence; and still, Even from the fearful eminence of death, APPENDIX. 1\fy spirit, parting from its shrouding clay, Survey them with the thought of one who loves, Glad in tho safety which it could not share!" Even as he said,-a little band went forth Still resolute for God ;-having no ltomc, But that made l10ly by his privilege; Their prayers unchecked, their pure rites undisturbed They bending at high altars, with no dread, 1 Lest other eyes than the elect should soc, Their secret .smokes arise. To a wild shore, ltfost wild, but Iovely,-o'er the deeps they came; Propitious winds at beck, and God in heaven, Looking from blttest skies. From the broad sea, Sudden, the grey lines of the wooing land, Stretched out its sheltering haven, and afar, Implored them, with its smiles, through gayest green, That to the heart of the lone voyagers, Spoke of their homes in France. "And here," they cried, "Cast anchor! We will build O!lr temples here! This solitude is still security, And freedom shall compensate all the loSll Known first in loss of home! Yet naught is lost,All rather gained, that human hearts have found MQ.CJt dear to hope and its immunities, If that we win that freedom of the soul, It never knew before! Here should we find Our native land,-the native land of soul, 469 |
