68 BREAD IN THE WILDERNESS.
Brake the strong spell of eloquence which held The wilderness in chains ; save, now and then, As the gale freshen'd, came the murmur 'd speech Of distant billows, chafing with the shores Of the Tiberian sea.
Day wore apace,
Noon hasted, and the lengthening shadows brought The unexpected eve. They linger'd still, Eyes fix'd, and lips apart ; the very breath Constraint, lest some escaping sigh might break The tide of knowledge, sweeping o'er their souls Like a strange raptur'd dream. They heeded not The spent sun, closing at the curtain 'd west His burning journey. What was time to them, Who heard entranc'd the Eternal Word of Life ?
But the weak flesh grew weary. Hunger came, Sharpening each feature, and to faintness drain 'd Life's vigorous fount. The holy Saviour felt Compassion for them. His disciples press, Care-stricken, to his side : " Where shall we find Bread in this desert ? "
Then, with lifted eyes,
He bless'd, and brake, the slender store of food, And fed the famish 'd thousands. Wondering awe With renovated strength inspir'd their souls, As, gazing on the miracle, they mark'd The gather 'd fragments of their feast, and heard
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