POETRY.
CHARLES GORDON.
,(" We trusted it had been he who should have delivered Israel.") GREAT soul, that scorned ignoble ease,
Still lit with faith's undying flame, And genius ever prompt to seize War's swift occasions as they came- We hoped he could not fail to save; We hoped,—but under alien skies, Far off, within his bloody grave, Struck by the traitor steel he lies.
Is this the end? Forbid the thought !
The servant follows still the Lord; For each hath death the victory wrought, With Him the cross, with thee the sword.
The Saviour dies, betrayed, alone, His Israel unredeemed ; but still Grows to a mightier world-wide throne The felon Cross on Calvary's bill.
..Nor thou, great soul, was spent in vain, Though noblest of our later days ; While from the tropic, Nile-washed plain, The echo of thy deathless praise Shall bring across each petty strife, And base desire, and meaner aim, The vision of a holier life, A loftier purpose, purer fame.
ALFRED CIIERCII.
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