When slander, rage, and lies, and pity fail'd, Then came the deadly strife!--The fires consum'd; The sword devour'd;--Widows and orphans mourn'd; Hell's artillery bellow'd; Martyrs bled; The world exulted;--Devils hugely grinn'd;-- Heaven wept; saints prayed; Justice stood aghast;-- Mercy, retiring, dropped a tear of blood;-- Angels startling, half drew their glittering swords; And the Gods, in solemn council decreed A just VENGEANCE! Amid these awful scenes ye firmly stood For truth, and him you loved; And leaving house And home again behind, in poverty Ye fled; and pitch'd your humble tent amid The storms of winter: And wandering o'er the Wide, unsheltered plain, ye braved the tempest Many a weary month without a murmur-- Without a _murmur_! Nay more--Ye smiling Stood, amid the awful storms, and hail'd the Tempest welcome. The solitary wilds Reverb'rated with freedom's joyful songs, While there you fondly pressed your infant to Your bosom,--smil'd on your lord,--receiv'd his Smile in turn, and realized your freedom. Supremely blest with heaven's approving smile, With peace and friendship, liberty and love; And with the daily presence of your lord,-- Whose best affection sweeten'd every care; Ye still were happy in your low estate, Nor sighed for more. One only sacrifice remained for us To make, to further test our depth of love For God and truth;--'twas all that Heaven could ask. With you, my lambs, be left _alone_, to spend Another winter in this dreary wild, While him _you love_ shall wander far away Beyond the sea, for truth and Zion's sake? Your pulse beat quick; your bosom heav'd a sigh; Your heart swell'd with emotion; a big tear Gush'd forth, and stole in silence down your check; While your spirit said: "_If I must, I will!_" The Recording Angel smil'd; Heaven approv'd, And said: "_It is enough_," record the same, And with it Our decree: They are Elect! Eternal life is theirs: They shall be ONE, WHILE ENDLESS AGES ROLL! PARLEY P. PRATT. CHAPTER XLV. ------------------------ Return with Elder John Taylor to America:--Arrival at Winter Quarters:--Camp Starts for the Rocky Mountains:--Meet the Pioneers:--Arrival in Great Salt Lake Valley:--Visit to Utah and Great Salt Lakes. Early in January, 1847, having completed our mission in the British Isles, Brother John Taylor and myself went to Liverpool, preparatory to our return, with a few of the Saints, who were accompanying us as emigrants. Here we soon made arrangements for passage to New Orleans, chartering the second cabin of a large new ship, called "America."