48. The Course of Truth
|
{96}
"Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him
openly,
not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God." |
WHEN royal Truth, released from mortal throes, |
| Burst His brief slumber, and triumphant rose, |
|
Ill had the Holiest sued |
|
A patron multitude, |
| Or courted Tetrarch's eye, or claim'd to
rule |
| By the world's winning grace, or proofs from learned school. |
But, robing Him in viewless air, He told |
| His secret to a few of meanest mould; |
|
They in their turn imparted |
|
The gift of men pure-hearted, |
| While the brute many heard His mysteries
high, |
| As some strange fearful tongue, and crouch'd, they knew not
why. |
{97}
Still is the might of Truth, as it has been: |
| Lodged in the few, obey'd, and yet unseen. |
|
Rear'd on lone heights, and rare, |
|
His saints their watch-flame bear, |
| And the mad world sees the wide-circling
blaze, |
| Vain searching whence it streams, and how to quench its rays. |
Malta.
December 24, 1832. |