Mistrustful of "the law of liberty[11]," Sounding from far the doom of slavery, Maddened by jealous fear, the Gentile sees Peril in purling stream, in whispering breeze, Telling of wondrous thrift, of mystic power, Of spirit gifts--the Bride's becoming dower; Sees menace[12] in that migrant fold's increase, 2800 A menace to his power, his pride, his peace; And, as of old, when Egypt's despot frowned On Jacob's increase, growth from fruitful ground, Or when fell Herod, fain to slay life's Lord, Pierced Rachel's bosom with unpitying sword; With feigned or real suspicion of intent That could but lurk in minds by malice bent, And ne'er found lodgment in the dreams of those Now fearfully beset by whelming foes, Force joins with fraud, impelled by lust of crime, 2810 And innocence bewails the evil time. A second Pharaoh now o'er Israel see! A Herod[13] in the home of Liberty! Where wingĕd Nemesis shall find her own, Gathering the whirlwind[14] where the wind was sown. Friendless, unsheltered, forth the exiles go, Lit by their burning homes athwart the snow, Till crimson footprints stamp the frozen path, And icy billows bar them from the wrath Of cruel fiends, whose fellows, masked as men, 2820 Where languish sons of light in darksome den, Gloat, while they guard, and flout with jest obscene The helpless victims of that heartless scene; Exulting foully, boastingly, the while, O'er deeds none else than devils would defile. Till patience, past enduring, dures no more; Heard, above jackal's yell, the lion's roar. Thunders and flames Jehovah's threatening rod, And shakes the dungeon[15] with the wrath of God-- A lightning tongue to scorch His cowering foes, 2830 And scourge them to the kennels whence they rose. When known such power, such might of word and will, Since Christ bade tempest sleep and waves be still? Free, whereso'er he wends, is hope renewed, Demons unhoused, disease and death subdued[16]. Where Sire of Waters[17] sweeps o'er silvery sands, Prest by the pilgrim feet of many lands, Aloft, alone, a sacred city stands. City, mother of many[18], none more rare, A blossoming waste shall yield, now burnt and bare; 2840 City, mother of empire, famed as fair, Whose birth the solemn muse must yet declare. Where groaned the land with dread malarial ill, Healed by a hand divine, o'er vale and hill See roof and dome and glittering fane arise! Unworldly link[19], rewelding Earth and Skies! Then comes Elijah's mightier mission[20] forth, And mortal vows take on immortal worth, Kindling anew hope's ever living fires, Turning the mutual hearts of sons and sires, 2850 While doors to spirit dungeons open swing, That love to light the living dead may bring!