UZZIAH.
II. Chronicles, Chap. 26.
The star of Judah's king rode high, in plenitude of power,
And lauded was his sceptre's sway, in palace and in bower,
Fresh fountains in the desert waste, up at his bidding sprung,
And clustering vines o'er Carmel's breast, a broader mantle flung,
He hied him to the battle-field, in all his young renown,
And wild Arabia's swarthy host, like blighted grass fell down.
Yet when within his lifted heart, the seeds of pride grew strong
And unacknowledg'd blessings led to arrogance and wrong,
Even to the temple's holy place, with impious step he hied,
And with a kindling censer stood fast by the altar's side;
But he whose high and priestly brow, the anointing oil had blest,
Stood forth majestic to rebuke the sacrilegious guest.
"'Tis not for thee," he sternly said, "to tread this hallow'd nave,
And take that honor to thyself, which God to Aaron gave,
'Tis not for thee, thou mighty king, o'er Judah's realm ordain'd,
To trample on Jehovah's law, by whom thy fathers reign'd,
Go hence!" And from his awful eye, there seem'd such ire to flame,
As mingled with the thunder-blast, when God to Sinai came.
Then loud the reckless monarch storm'd, and with a daring hand,
He swung the sacred censer high above the trembling band,
But where the burning sign of wrath did in his forehead flame,
Behold! the avenging doom of heaven, the livid plague-spot came:
And low his princely head declin'd, in bitterness of woe,
While from the temple-gate he sped,—a leper white as snow.