VI.

We long for what we see-though haply time
Have taught us oft 'tis but an idle glare;
A vision which at distance shows sublime;

But, neared and grasped at, proves but empty air:
What then would be the energy to climb

The steep of Zion, if the glories there-
Glories surpassing all our fondest dreams-
Shed oftener on the soul their life-inspiring beams?

VII.

"Tis said of those whom hostile hands compel
To leave the springs, and seek the mountain
height;

Lest, torn from home and all that flings its spell
Around the heart, they feel the exquisite,
Unmeasured horrors without parallel

In earthly climes-the cruel withering blight
Of toil for masters who have bought with gold
What heaven first made, and then redeemed with
price untold;-

VIII.

"Tis said they bear through many a weary day What to be known by any heart must first Be felt beneath the same unsparing ray

Of Afric's sun-the agony of thirst; Resolved even thus to slowly wear away,

Rather than live for misery accurst;But ah! at length they near—and nearer come— They see the proffered cup-and leave in chains their home! *

IX.

If sight thus lure to slavery below,

How would it win to freedom in the skies!

If men be tempted thus to undergo

The loss of home and all their bosoms prize, How would these hearts with heavenly fervour glow To gain their home-the mansion in the skies, If faith would lift her eye with searching gaze, To all that shines above this close surrounding

haze!

* See "The African Slave-trade and its Remedy," by Sir T. Fowell Buxton.

X.

Ye who have formed your purpose, and are bent, Whate'er ye lose, the heavenly prize to gainKnowing the cost full well, yet well content

To bear it all, nor rest till ye attainIn this one work be strong-be violent!*

Break, by the help of heaven, the cumbering chain Of time and sense; and scan with stedfast eye, What faith alone can see, the unfading joys on high!

XI.

Soar upward, and survey the streets of gold,
Whose gates of pearl are open day and night;
Look on the dwellers there, and there behold,
Greater than all, its everlasting light,
Whose wondrous beauty only shall be told,

When words can compass what is infinite ;Nor cease to gaze until the beams of love Kindle intense desire to dwell for aye above.

"The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the vio lent take it by force."-Matt. xi. 12.

XLI.

"THE LORD GOD IS A SUN."

PSALM 1xxxiv. 11.

I.

THE summer sun was in the deep blue sky, Shedding on all beneath his fervid rays; One soft light cloud was floating calmly nighThe only one that met my upward gaze.

II.

Musingly wandering, I chanced to look

With sudden glance upon the orb of day; But, all too weak that blaze of light to brook, My dazzled eyes full quickly turned away;

O

III.

Turned from the heavens to the meadows green, Beside the path where I was slowly straying; Able and glad to note the glittering sheen,

When far descended, o'er the verdure playing.

IV.

Ah! who can tell how beautiful is light!

How sad the heart the sunbeams cannot cheer! Whatever else be dimmed, they shine as bright As erst on Eden, ere it knew a tear.

V.

And brightly shone they now: they did impart

Radiance, methought, to more than earth and air: Mine eyes but seemed the windows of my heart, That let them in to play and gladden there.

VI.

But suddenly upon the waving grass,
Adding fresh loveliness to all around,

By contrast strong, I marked a shadow pass,
With silent motion, wide athwart the ground.