CONSIDER. Consider The lilies of the field whose bloom is brief, We are as they; Like them we fade away, As doth a leaf. Consider The sparrows of the air of small account; Whether they fall or mount- Consider The lilies that do neither spin nor toil, Yet are most fair; What profits all this care And all this toil? Consider The birds that have no barn nor harvest weeks God gives them food; Much more our Father seeks To do us good. THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK, AND OTHER POEMS. THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK HE Shadow of the Rock! THE Stay, Pilgrim, stay! Night treads upon the heels of day; There is no other resting-place this way. The well is clear Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! The desert wide Lies round thee like a trackless tide, Thou art alone Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! All come alone; m 8 THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK. All, over since the sun hath shone, Who traveled by this road have come alone. Be of good cheer A home is here Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! Night veils the land; How the palms whisper as they stand! Thy thirst to slake Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! Abide! Abide! This Rock moves ever at thy side, Beneath its shade— Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! Unseen it cools the noon-tide land, And quells the fire that flickers in the sand. It comes in sight Only at night Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK. 9 The Shadow of the Rock! 'Mid skies storm-riven It gathers shadows out of heaven, And holds them o'er us all night cool and even Through the charmed air Dew falls not there Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! This Rock its shadow multiplies, And at this hour in countless places lies. O'er thousands laid Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! To weary feet, That have been diligent and fleet, The sleep is deeper and the shade more sweet. O weary, rest! Thou art sore pressed Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! Thy bed is made; Crowds of tired souls like thine are laid This night beneath the self-same placid shade 10 NIGHT SONG. They who rest here Wake with Heaven near Rest in the Shadow of the Rock. The Shadow of the Rock! Pilgrim sleep sound; In night's swift hours with silent bound, By night than day Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! The Shadow of the Rock! One day of pain, Thou scarce wilt hope the Rock to gain, Yet there wilt sleep thy last sleep on the plain And only wake In Heaven's daybreak Rest in the Shadow of the Rock! NIGHT SONG. EART, be still! Hin the darkness of thy woe, Bow thee silently and low; Comes to thee whate'er God will; Be thou still! |