Sorrow Voices.
297
Great sorrows rule like Jove upon Olympus,
And though sometimes the lightnings issue thence,
And full-toned voices intimate his presence,
Be sure the god will never quit his cloud.
They come on missions, lifted cross in hand,
To preach us from our idols. They draw near
Our tranced souls, and, weeping tears divine,
Call till they rise and stagger to the light,
Bound hand and foot with grave-clothes. Mighty trials
Are sent to mighty spirits that have sinew
To grapple with them. Oh! we dress our puppets
In the full robes of sorrow, and adore them;
We bring our foolish and unchastened hearts
Into Heaven's very presence; there count o'er
The baubles it has broken, and bewail them.
Mothers do pity in their weeping charges
The baby griefs they smile at. It is well
That we are children in the sight of God!
And though sometimes the lightnings issue thence,
And full-toned voices intimate his presence,
Be sure the god will never quit his cloud.
They come on missions, lifted cross in hand,
To preach us from our idols. They draw near
Our tranced souls, and, weeping tears divine,
Call till they rise and stagger to the light,
Bound hand and foot with grave-clothes. Mighty trials
Are sent to mighty spirits that have sinew
To grapple with them. Oh! we dress our puppets
In the full robes of sorrow, and adore them;
We bring our foolish and unchastened hearts
Into Heaven's very presence; there count o'er
The baubles it has broken, and bewail them.
Mothers do pity in their weeping charges
The baby griefs they smile at. It is well
That we are children in the sight of God!
