When the people's heart is silent, And their eyes are closed in death, Then God, the great Deliverer, Awakes them with a breath. Proud as Egyptian Pharaoh Was the Duke on Leman's shore, For twice five tedious years his yoke Geneva, groaning, bore. A martyr to the faith, she flies Panting and still oppressed. The hour is come: 'Up, Judah, up! Pass through the sea, and be at rest.' Her voice among our mountains Resounded, and her cry Of anguish tired the echoes, But no man made reply. Deaf to Geneva's woes and sleeping Among her meads Helvetia lay; But our rocks at last are shaken; With a shout the Bernese waken, And to succor the oppressed They march with dauntless breast: The Bear alone to pity giveth way. To the war the fierce old bear, With his eager cubs, has gone: Day of safety to God's children, Day of gladness to each one. Day of death to thee, rash prince, Day of sorrow and of shame, Day of fire which shall consume thee With inextinguishable flame. Expect not mercy, for thy crime Has dried up mercy's spring; My voice, once soft, now thunders loud, And fierce remorse thy heart shall wring. Berne, if thy heart could counterfeit, If thy proud neck could bend; If thy tongue, in honeyed accents, Could kings, as gods, commend; Then their haughty palace gates Would before thee open wide,— But Christ is thy salvation, And His cup thy boast and pride. They have left thee all alone, Thy friends,—where are they flown? In the battle no man fighteth at thy side. Fear nothing! every coming age Shall bless thy memory; For twice ten days thy cry has been: 'We conquer or we die!'[720] What feats have been accomplished By thy arm! how many a town And many a haughty ruler Before thee hath gone down! Burnt are their castles, and their gods Low in the dust are laid; While all men sing thy glory, That knows nor spot nor shade. Happy the people among whom The great God loves to abide; Who daily search the Lord's own book, Who scorn the pope, who upward look To Christ their heavenly guide. They sheathe their swords, and turning Their hearts to God above, From morn to eve unshrinkingly They trust upon His love.[721] [Sidenote: TO GOD BE THE GLORY.]