THE SACRIFICE OF ABRAHAM Still trod the Patriarch on, with that same step, To seek the olive shades, or lave their lips To toss his sunny hair from off his brow, 51 And spring for the fresh flowers and bright wings As in the early morning; but he kept Close by his father's side, and bent his head Upon his bosom like a drooping bud, Lifting it not, save now and then to steal A look up to the face whose sternness awed It was noon And Abraham on Moriah bowed himself, But, with his hand upon the clustering curls Of the fair, kneeling boy, he prayed that God Would nerve him for that hour. Oh! man was made For the stern conflict. In a mother's love There is more tenderness; the thousand chords, Complain, like delicate harp-strings, at a breath; The wood upon the altar. All was done. He stood a moment-and a deep, quick flush And lifted up his arm, and called on God— NATHANIEL P. WILLIS 15 ABRAHAM'S OFFENCE Once, it is written, Abraham, "God's Friend," An aged man, haggard with two days' drouth. Moved to say, "Give me drink," yet uttered naught; And that gaunt camel which he rode upon, Sank to the earth at entering of the camp, Too spent except to lay its neck along ABRAHAM'S OFFENCE 53 To whom when they had given The cool wet jar, asweat with diamond drops eyes, Pouring forth water to the setting orb; Next would have drunk, but Abraham saw, and said, "Let not this unbeliever drink, who pours God's gift of water forth unto the sun, But while the man still clutched the precious jar, Who, in his utmost need, watered his beast, And findest thou not patience to pity him Thereat the Angel vanished as he came; But Abraham, with humble countenance, Kissed reverently the heathen's hand, and spake— Leading him to the chief seat in the tent“God pardon me as He doth pardon thee!" SIR EDWIN ARNOLD 16 THE TENT OF ABRAHAM The shadows of an Eastern day Till Abraham's tent appeared in view, With years at every tread; Of full one hundred years or more Upon his silvery head; Then Abraham washed his aching feet, Assuaged their pain, and brought him meat. THE TENT OF ABRAHAM You should have known the burning glare To tell how sweet the draught That blessed those lips so parched and old; Could buy the joy he quaffed! You should have toiled the burning waste, But Abraham saw with deep amaze Nor praise nor thanks he uttered there, And called no blessing on the food! 66 Ownest thou not the God of Heaven, That unto thee these things hath given?" He answered, "Five-score years I've trod, And Abraham, wroth, his anger spent, And thrust him, storming, from his tent. An Eastern night is dread to bear- And evils few can speak Save those whose wandering lives have known The perils 'mid the desert thrown, Or heard the tempest's shriek. 55 |