Poems by Jean Ingelow, In Two Volumes, Volume II. by Jean Ingelow
page 226 of 487 (46%)
page 226 of 487 (46%)
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Nor water. I look back, and deep through time
The old words come but faintly up the track Trod by the sons of men. The man He sent, The Prince of life, methinks I could have loved If I had looked once in His deep man's eyes. But long ago He died, and long ago Is gone." He is not dead, He cannot go. Men's faith at first was like a mastering stream, Like Jordan "the descender" leaping down Pure from his snow; and warmed of tropic heat Hiding himself in verdure: then at last In a Dead Sea absorbed, as faith of doubt. But yet the snow lies thick on Hermon's breast And daily at his source the stream is born. Go up--go mark the whiteness of the snow--Thy faith is not thy Saviour, not thy God, Though faith waste fruitless down a desert old. The living God is new, and He is near. What need to look behind thee and to sigh? When God left speaking He went on before To draw men after, following up and on; And thy heart fails because thy feet are slow; Thou think'st of Him as one that will not wait, A Father and not wait!--He waited long For us, and yet perchance He thinks not long And will not count the time. There are no dates In His fine leisure. |
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