Rash was the tongue, and unadvisedly bold, Which sought, Salome, for thy favoured twain Above their fellows, in Messiah’s reign On right, on left, the foremost place to hold. More rash, perhaps, and bolder, that which told Of power the Saviour’s bitter cup to drain, And, passing stretch of human strength, sustain His bath baptismal. Lord, by Thee enrolled Thy servant, grant me Thy Almighty grace, My destined portion of Thy griefs to bear, Ev’n what Thou wilt! But chiefly grant, Thy face Within Thy glory’s realm to see, whene’er Most meet Thy wisdom deems; whate’er the place, It must be blest, for Thou, my God, art there. _Bp. Mant._ Thy eloquence, O _Paul_, thy matchless tongue, With strong persuasion, as with magic’s voice, From heathen darkness to the paths of light Led the benighted wanderers, who, like thee, Through superstition’s gloomy mazes strayed, Till, Heaven’s effulgence bursting on the view. To thy astonished and enraptured sight Revealed the glories of unfading day. _William Bolland._ Whose is that sword--that voice and eye of flame, That heart of unextinguishable ire? Who bears the dungeon-keys; and bonds, and fire? Along his dark and withering path he came-- Death in his looks, and terror in his name, Tempting the might of heaven’s Eternal Sire. Lo, the Light shone! the sun’s veiled beams expire-- A Saviour’s self a Saviour’s lips proclaim! Whose is yon form stretched on the earth’s cold bed, With smitten soul, and tears of agony, Mourning the past? Bowed is the lofty head-- Rayless the orbs that flushed with victory. Over the raging waves of human will The Saviour’s spirit walked--and all was still! _Roscoe._ ’Tis pitiful To court a grin when you should woo a soul; To break a jest, when pity would inspire Pathetic exhortation; and to address The skittish fancy with facetious tales, When sent with God’s commission to the heart! So did not _Paul_. Direct me to a quip Or merry turn in all he ever wrote, And I consent you take it for your text, Your only one, till sides and benches fail. No, he was serious in a serious cause, And understood too well the mighty terms That he had taken in charge. He would not stoop To conquer those by jocular exploits, Whom truth and soberness assailed in vain. _Cowper._