Thy gaze, thy silence, they compell'd My own responsive: aw'd I stood Before thee; soften'd, search'd, and quell'd; The evil captive to the good: Half conscious, half entranc'd, I heard (While the stars mov'd) thy conquering word. These ears were dull to Grecian speech, This heart more dull to aught but sin; Yet the great Spirit bade thee reach, Wake, change, exalt, the soul within: I've heard; I know; thy Lord, ev'n He, JESUS, hath look'd from heaven on me. Thou saw'st me shake, and (spite of pride) Weep on thy hand: so stern thy truth: I own'd the terrors that abide Dread sequel to a rebel's youth: But soon I pour'd a happier shower To learn thy Saviour's dying power. Ah, speechless, rapt, I bent, to know Each wonder of that fateful day When midst thy zeal's terrific glow He met thee on the Syrian way: I saw, I felt, the scene: my soul Drank the new bliss, the new control. Father, the dawn is risen! the hour Is near, too near, when from this hand Thy chain must fall--from yonder tower Another guard must take my stand: The City stirs: I go, to meet The foe, the world, in camp and street; A Christian--yes, for ever now A Christian: so our Leader keep My faltering heart: to Him I bow, His, whether now I wake or sleep: In peace, in battle, His:--the day Breaks in the east: oh, once more pray! 1869.