Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/179

1830-40.] JAMES H. PERKINS. 163 And though the ocean waves, which roll From the equator to the pole, May tell us of a God's control, Yet poor they be, When measur'd by the living soul Which burns in thee. Of vast, strange cities we are told. That were in the dim days of old ; Of thrones of ivory and gold. By jewels hid; And temples of gigantic mould. And pyramid : But I would brave a hundred toils To watch thy little ways and wiles, And bathe my spirit in thy smiles, And hear thy call. Rather than walk a dozen miles To see them all. For thou, when folly hath beguiled, Or selfishness, or sense defiled, Thou meetest me, my little child. Fresh with my stain — But when upon me thou hast smiled, I'm pure again. Oh, then, by thee I could be led With joy life's humblest walk to tread : The lowliest roof, the hardest bed. Were all I'd ask ; To raise my heart above my head Should be my task. WTiat then to me the diamond stone ? And what the gem-encircled zone ? And what the harp's bewitching tone ? Thine azure eye, Thy ruddy cheek, and laugh, alone. Would satisfy. And though all fortune were denied I'd struggle still against the tide. Nor pray for any wealth beside. If I could be The parent, governor, and guide Of one like thee. THE VOICE THAT BADE THE DEAD ARISE. The voice that bade the dead arise, And gave back vision to the blind. Is hushed ; but when He sought the skies. Our Master left his Word behind. 'Twas not to calm the billows' roll, 'Twas not to bid the hill be riven ; No ! 'twas to lift the fainting soul, And lead the erring back to heaven, — To heave a mountain from the heart, To bid those inner springs be stirred. Lord, to thy servant here impart The quickening wisdom of that Word ! Dwell, Father, in this earthly fane, And, when its feeble walls decay, Be with us till we meet again Amid thy halls of endless day. HYMN. Almighty God ! with hearts of flesh Into thy presence we have come, To breathe our filial vows afresh, To make thy house once more our home. We know that thou art ever nigh ; We know that thou art with us here, — That every action meets thine eye. And every secret thought thine ear. But grant us, God, this truth to feel. As well as know ; grant us the grace, Somewhat as Adam knew thee, still To know and see thee, face to face. Here, while we breathe again our vows, Appointing one to minister In holy things within this house, Grant us to feel that Thou art here.