THE REIGN OF CHRIST ON EARTH.
HAIL to the Lord's annointed-
Great David's greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
He comes with succor speedy
To those who suffer wrong;
To help the poor and needy,
And bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
Were precious in His sight.
By such shall He be feared
While sun and moon endureBeloved, obeyed, revered;
For He shall judge the poor, Through changing generations, With justice, mercy, truth, While stars maintain their stations Or moons renew their youth.
He shall come down like showers
Upon the fruitful earth,
And love, joy, hope, like flowers,
Spring in His path to birth;
Before Him, on the mountains,
Shall Peace, the herald, go,
And Righteousness, in fountains,
From hill to valley flow.
Arabia's desert-ranger
To Him shall bow the knee,
The Ethiopian stranger
His glory come to see;
With offerings of devotion
Ships from the isles shall meet,
To pour the wealth of ocean
In tribute at His feet.
Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring.
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing;
RISE, heart! thy Lord is risen. Sing His praise
Born to redeem, and strong to save!" Then ask the monster, "Where's his sting? And where's thy victory, boasting Who takes thee by the hand, that thou like
AWAKE, thou wintry earth-
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
Wave, woods, your blossoms all-
Grim death is dead!
Ye weeping funeral trees,
Lift up your head!
Come, see! the graves are green;
It is light; let's go
Where our loved ones rest
In hope below!
All is fresh and new,
Full of spring and light;
Wintry heart, why wear'st the hue Of sleep and night?
Leave thy cares beneath, Leave thy worldly love!
Begin the better life
With God above!
Christ is risen!
I have sinned more than she
Who, learning where to meet with Thee,
And bringing myrrh the highest priced,
Anointed bravely, from her knee,
Thy blessed feet accordingly—
My God, my Lord, my Christ!
As Thou saidest not "Depart,"
To that suppliant from her heart,
Scorn me not, O Word, that art
The gentlest one of all words said!
But give Thy feet to me instead,
That tenderly I may them kiss,
And clasp them close, and never miss,
With over-dropping tears, as free
And precious as that myrrh could be,
T'anoint them bravely from my knee!
Wash me with thy tears! draw nigh me,
That their salt may purify me!
Thou remit my sins who knowest
All the sinning, to the lowest-
Knowest all my wounds, and seest
All the stripes Thyself decreest;
Yea, but knowest all my faith -
Seest all my force to death,-
Hearest all my wailings low
That mine evil should be so!
Nothing hidden but appears
In Thy knowledge, O Divine,
O Creator, Saviour mine!—
Not a drop of falling tears,
Not a breath of inward moan,
Not a heart-beat-which is gone!
ST. JOANNES DAMASCENTS (Greek) Translation of E. B. BROWNING,
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