And then the drear sharp tongue of prophecy, With the dread sense of things which shall be done, Doth smite me inly, like a sword--a sword? (_That_ 'smites the Shepherd!') then, I think aloud The words 'despised,'--'rejected,'--every word Recoiling into darkness as I view The DARLING on my knee. Bright angels,--move not!--lest ye stir the cloud Betwixt my soul and his futurity! I must not die, with mother's work to do, And could not live--and see. It is enough to bear This image still and fair-- This holier in sleep, Than a saint at prayer: This aspect of a child Who never sinned or smiled-- This presence in an infant's face: This sadness most like love This love than love more deep, This weakness like omnipotence, It is so strong to move! Awful is this watching place, Awful what I see from hence-- A king, without regalia, A God, without the thunder, A child, without the heart for play; Aye, a Creator rent asunder From His first glory and cast away On His own world, for me alone To hold in hands created, crying--SON! That tear fell not on THEE, Beloved, yet Thou stirrest in thy slumber! THOU, stirring not for glad sounds out of number Which through the vibratory palm trees run From summer wind and bird, So quickly hast Thou heard A tear fall silently?-- Wak'st Thou, O loving One?-- --_E. B. Browning._ [1] It is a Jewish tradition that Moses died of the kisses of God's lips. THE VOICE FROM GALILEE. I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon my breast." I came to Jesus as I was-- Weary, and worn, and sad; I found in Him a resting-place, And He has made me glad. I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Behold I freely give The living water--thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink, and live." I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giving stream. My thirst was quench'd, my soul revived, And now I live in Him. I heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's light; Look unto me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright." I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun; And in that Light of Life I'll walk Till trav'ling days are done. --_Horatius Bonar._ LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT. Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on; The night is dark, and I am far from home, Lead Thou me on; Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou Shouldst lead me on; I loved to choose and see my path; but now Lead Thou me on. I loved the garish day, and spite of fears, Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.