REDEMPTION. 117
With fenny bulrush and the graceful reed, While every vine, and shrub, and fruitful tree, Spontaneous their pulpy treasures yield, And, free from venom of the crested snake, Or savage beasts that prowl the woods for prey, Shelter the wand'rer 'neath their leafy shade. Straight paths through flow'ry vistas spring, to guide His erring feet, and heralds raise their voice, To lead him cheerful on his easy way. Prepare the way, the way of God prepare, Who comes the door of mercy to unbar. Kise up, ye vales, and you ye hills bow low, Let devious ways be straight, and rough ways plain. Return, redeemed of the Lord, return ; Hasten your great Deliverer now to see ; Fill Sion, fill thy courts with sounding praise, Thy sorrows cease, thy mourning flees away, And everlasting joy shall crown thy head. Th' imperious edict of Augustus rolls Portentous to the world's remotest bounds; Blind instrument in the Almighty's hand, To solve his counsels and fulfill his words. Obedient to the summons, Joseph rose, With Mary, his espoused, 'twas so ordain'd, And went to Bethlehem to be enroll'd. Presaging clouds o'erhang the beetling crags, And frown upon them on their rugged way. The flow'ry top of Carmel casts its bloom, And with' ring, all its leafy honors fade ; In circling eddies whirls the frosted air, And torrents rush impetuous to the main. Esdrela pass'd, Garizim greets their steps,
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