THE SHEPHERDS' PLAIN. "Tis thine Israel's voice that calls, Build again thy Salem's walls, Dwell within her holy halls. 'Tis thy Church's voice that cries, Rend these long unrended skies, Bridegroom of the Church, arise. Take to thee thy power and reign, Purify this earth again; Cleanse it from each curse and stain. Sun of peace, no longer stay, Let the shadows flee away, And the long night end in day. Let the dayspring from on high, Babe of Bethlehem, to thee, Infant of eternity, Everlasting glory be ! 245 COME, LORD. "Senuit mundus."-AUGUSTINE. COME, Lord, and tarry not: Bring the long-looked-for day, Oh why these years of waiting here, These ages of delay? Come, for thy saints still wait; Daily ascends their sigh; The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, Dost thou not hear the cry? Come, for creation groans, Impatient of thy stay, Worn out with these long years of ill, These ages of delay. Come, for thy Israel pines, An exile from thy fold; O call to mind thy faithful word, COME, LORD. Come, for thy foes are strong; With taunting lip they say, "Where is the promised Advent now, And where the dreaded day?" Come, for the good are few; Come, for the truth is weak, Its subtle poison o'er the earth,- Come, for love waxes cold, Its steps are faint and slow; Faith now is lost in unbelief, Hope's lamp burns dim and low. Come, for the grave is full, Earth's tombs no more can hold, The sated sepulchres rebel, And groans the heaving mould. 247 248 COME, LORD. Come, for the corn is ripe, Reap the great harvest of the earth ;— Come, in thy glorious might, Scattering thy foes before thy face, Come, spoil the strong man's house, Bind him and cast him hence, Show thyself stronger than the strong, Come, and make all things new, Build up this ruined earth, Restore our faded Paradise, Creation's second birth. Come, and begin thy reign Of everlasting peace, Come, take the kingdom to thyself, Great King of righteousness. |