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With stern and altered gaze they sadly wait,
The fearful purpose of expected fate;
But when they saw the wound with venom fraught,
No change—no horror in their guest had wrought,
"A God! a God!" their mingled voices cried,
And thoughts of reverence thro' their spirits glide.
Ah simple train! ye knew not that ye saw
A friend of Him who vanquished nature's law,
Who in his bright ascent still paus'd to say,
"No deadly foe shall bar my servants' way;
"On scorpions they shall tread, and feel no pain,
"The sharp envenom'd dart shall strike in vain."
Ye knew not that ye saw the man whose woes
By him were felt as joys, who deadliest foes
Undaunted met; who "counted losses gain;"
Who neither danger fear'd nor shrunk from pain;
Whom no reproach, or scourge, or threatened doom,
Or present woes, or vision'd ills to come,
Or height, or depth, or peril, flame, or sword,
Could sever from the love and service of his Lord.
To you was giv'n with pitying love to impart
Those courteous deeds that win the stranger's heart,
And though more spacious lands, perchance, display
