And they hailed him with rare blessing Friend of God, Almighty Lord. And he sojourned 'mid the people Strong to shield their homes from harm. And fat Nile's proud Pharaohs owned him, Largess to the human clan. And he lived long years a witness Grew to serve our mortal need. Not a priest and not a churchman Human-faced and human-hearted, Common sire, whom Jew and Christian, On East and West with brothered rays. JOHN STUART BLACKIE. THE The Tent of Abraham HE shadows of an Eastern day Till Abraham's tent appeared in view, And Abraham met his wayworn look Then Abraham washed his aching feet, You should have known the burning glare Of soil and sun, and sultry air, To tell how sweet the draught That blessed those lips so parched and old; Oh! water-not a world of gold Could buy that joy he quaffed! You should have toiled the burning waste, But Abraham saw with deep amaze Nor praise nor thanks he uttered there, Sudden he sat, in eager mood, "Ownest thou not the God of Heaven, That unto thee these things hath given?" Said Abraham in his ire; He answered, "Five-score years I've trod, And Abraham, wroth, his anger spent, An Eastern night is dread to bear- And evils few can speak Save those whose wandering lives have known The perils 'mid the desert thrown, Or heard the tempest's shriek; Yet pitiless, from out his sight, Stern Abraham cast him to the night. Then there was sudden awe on Night- A voice-God's voice-to Abraham called: "Why went this stranger from thy board?" Neither would worship Thee, nor bless; "If I, these hundred years, have borne How is't that thou, for one poor night, Then towards the Voice, with trembling steps he trod, And Abraham stood rebuked before his God. CHARLES SWAIN. The Ballade of Dead Cities WHERE are the cities of the plain? WHERE And where the shrines of rapt Bethel? And Shinar whence King Amraphel By Siddim and sent sheer to hell; Where now is Karnak, that great fane, Dark snakes around their ruins climb, Where are the cities of old time? And where is white Shushan, again, Were brought to Mithridath to sell, Because another town sublime Decoyed him with her oracle? Where are the cities of old time? Envoi Prince, with a dolorous, ceaseless knell, Above their wasted toil and crime The waters of oblivion swell: Where are the cities of old time? ! EDMUND GOSSE. L Hagar ONE in the wilderness, her child and she, Sits the dark beauty, and her fierce-eyed boy. A heavy burden and no winsome toy To such as she, a hanging babe must be. A slave without a master-wild, nor free, With anger in her heart! and in her face Shame for foul wrong and undeserved disgrace, Poor Hagar mourns her lost virginity! Poor woman fear not-God is everywhere; The silent tears, thy thirsty infant's moan, Are known to Him whose never-absent care Still wakes to make all hearts and souls his own; He sends an angel from beneath his throne To cheer the outcast in the desert bare. HARTLEY COLERIDGE. The Meeting of Isaac and Rebecca WHO is this man that walketh in the field, O Eleazer, steward to my lord? And Eleazer answered her and said, Therefore Rebekah hasted where she sat, But Isaac also, walking in the field, 1 |