The Inner Life, Part 3, from Volume VII, - The Works of Whittier: the Conflict with Slavery, Politics - and Reform, the Inner Life and Criticism by John Greenleaf Whittier
page 39 of 104 (37%)
page 39 of 104 (37%)
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HOPE. When I do think on thee, sweet Hope, and how Thou followest on our steps, a coaxing child Oft chidden hence, yet quickly reconciled, Still turning on us a glad, beaming brow, And red, ripe lips for kisses: even now Thou mindest me of him, the Ruler mild, Who led God's chosen people through the wild, And bore with wayward murmurers, meek as thou That bringest waters from the Rock, with bread Of angels strewing Earth for us! like him Thy force abates not, nor thine eye grows dim; But still with milk and honey-droppings fed, Thou leadest to the Promised Country fair, Though thou, like Moses, may'st not enter there There is something very weird and striking in the following lines:-- GONE. Alone, at midnight as he knelt, his spirit was aware Of Somewhat falling in between the silence and the prayer; A bell's dull clangor that hath sped so far, it faints and dies So soon as it hath reached the ear whereto its errand lies; |
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