Bethlehem and Golgotha.

IN Bethlehem He first arose,

From whom we draw our true life's breath;
And Golgotha at last He chose,

Where his cross broke the power of death.
I wandered from the Western strand,

Througn strange scenes of the Morning Land;
But naught so great did I survey
As Bethlehem and Golgotha.

The ancient wonders of the world

Here rose aloft,-the mighty Seven;-
How was their transient glory hurled
To earth before the might of Heaven!

In passing, I could see and tell
How all their pride to ruin fell;
There stood in quiet Gloria
But Bethlehem and Golgotha.

Cease, Pyramids of Egypt, cease!

The toil that built you never gave

The faintest thought of Death's great peace,—
"Twas but the darkness of a grave.

!

484

BETHLEHEM AND GOLGOTHA.

Ye Sphinxes, in colossal stone!
The riddle Life an unread one
Ye left;-the answer found its way
Through Bethlehem and Golgotha

O Rocknabad, earth's Paradise,

Of all Shiraz the sweetest flower!
Ye Indian sea-coasts, breathing spice,

Where groves of palms in beauty tower ;-
I see o'er all your sunny plains

The step of Death leave sable stains.

Look up! There comes a deathless ray
From Bethlehem and Golgotha.

Thou Caaba! black stone of the waste,
At which the feet of half our line
Yet stumble. Stand, now, proudly braced
Beneath thy crescent's waning shine!
The moon before the sun grows dim;-
Thou art shattered by the sign of Him,
The conquering Prince. "Victoria!"
Shout Bethlehem and Golgotha.

O Thou, who in a shepherd-stable
An infant willingly hast lain,
And through the cross's pain wert able
To give the victory over pain!
To pride the manger seems disgrace;
The cross a vile, unworthy place ;-

BETHLEHEM AND GOLGOTHA.

But what shall bring this pride down? Say?
"Tis Bethlehem and Golgotha.

The Magi kings went forth to see

The Shepherd Stock, the Paschal Lamb;

And to the cross on Calvary

The pilgrimage of nations came.
Amidst the battle's stormy toss,
All flew to splinters-but the Cross;
As East and West encamping lay
Round Bethlehem and Golgotha.

O, march we not in martial band,
But with the Spirit's flag unfurled!
Let us subdue the Holy Land
As Christ himself subdued the world.
Let beams of light on every side
Fly, like Apostles, far and wide,

Till all men catch the beams that play
O'er Bethlehem and Golgotha.

With pilgrim staff and scallop-shell

Through Eastern climes I sought to roam;

This counsel have I found to tell,

Brought from my travels to my home:-
With staff and scallop do not crave
To see Christ's cradle and his grave.
Turn inward! there in clearest day
View Bethlehem and Golgotha.

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486

BETHLEHEM AND GOLGOTHA.

O heart! what helps it that the knee
Upon His natal spot is bended?
What helps it, reverently to see
The grave from which He soon ascended?
Let Him within thee find his birth;
And do thou die to things of earth,
And live Him;-let this be for aye
Thy Bethlehem and Golgotha.

Ruckert.

Who Cometh from Edom

Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine-fat?

I have trodden the wine-press alone; and of the people there was none with me; for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold, therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.

And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my jury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.-ISAIAH lxiii, 1–6.

STRANGE scene of glory! am I well awake,

Or is 't my fancy's wild mistake?

It can not be a dream; bright beams of light

Flow from the visions fair, and pierce my tender sight.

No common vision this; I see

Some marks of more than human majesty.

Who is this mighty Hero, who,

With glories round his head, and terror in his brow?