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RECOMPENSE.

THE Temple of the Lord stood open

wide,

And worshippers went up from many lands,

Who, kneeling at the altar, side by side,

Made votive offerings with uplifted hands.

Their gifts were gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, with a lustrous gleam and rapturous stir,

While all the people trembled and turned pale.

There flew an angel to the altar-rail, Who, with anointed eyes, keen to discern,

Gazed, noting all the kneelers, who they were,

And what was each one's tribute to the Lord,

And, gift for gift, with sudden, swift return,

Bestowed on every suppliant his reward.

O mocking recompense! To one, a spear!

To many, each a thorn! To some a nail!

To all, a cross! But unto none a crown!

At last, they saw the angel disappear. Then, as their timid hearts shook off their fear,

Some rose in anger, flung their treasures down,

And cried, "Such gifts from Heaven as these, we spurn! They are too cruel, and too keen to bear!

They are too grievous for a human breast!

Heaven sends us heartache, misery, and despair!

We knelt for blessing, but we rise un

blest!

If Heaven so mock us, we will cease to pray!"

They left the altar, and they went their way;

But their blaspheming hearts were then self-torn

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Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear;

We kneel how weak, we rise how full

Or others that we are not always

-

strong;

That we are ever overborne with

care;

That we should ever weak or heart

Anxious or troubled, when with us is less be,

prayer,

And joy, and strength, and courage,

are with Thee?

A GARDEN So well watered before

morn

Is hotly up, that not the swart sun's blaze,

Down beating with unmitigated rays, Why, therefore, should we do our- Nor arid winds from scorching places

of power!

selves this wrong,

borne,

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But as sure as there's a power that

makes the grass appear,

THE ERMINE.

Our land shall be green with liberty, To miry places me the hunters drive,

the blade-time shall be here.

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Where I my robes of purest white

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