Jerusalem.
9
Yet say, base outcasts of offended Heav'n,
Rebelling still as often as forgiv'n,
Say, are the woes, that now your race pursue,
More than your crimes, or heavier than your due?
How oft your God has turn'd his wrath away,
How oft in mercy has forborne to slay!
How long[1] by gentle chastisement he strove.
To win once more his people to his love!
Ah, call to mind, when in a distant land.
Forlorn ye bow'd beneath a stranger's hand,
His hot displeasure on your haughty foes
Pour'd the full tempest of unsparing woes.
Then, as his flock the tender shepherd leads
To softer herbage, and more fertile meads,
He led his chosen people far away,
Their guide in darkness, their defence by day.
Lo, at his word, th' obedient depths divide,
And 'whelm th' Egyptian in their refluent tide;
While rescued Israel, free from ev'ry care,
Gains the wish'd bank, and pours the vocal prayer.
From the cleft rock see sudden rills rebound,
And spread fresh verdure o'er the thirsty ground!
Yet still anew your disobedience sprung,
And discontent still murmur'd on your tongue;
Rebelling still as often as forgiv'n,
Say, are the woes, that now your race pursue,
More than your crimes, or heavier than your due?
How oft your God has turn'd his wrath away,
How oft in mercy has forborne to slay!
How long[1] by gentle chastisement he strove.
To win once more his people to his love!
Ah, call to mind, when in a distant land.
Forlorn ye bow'd beneath a stranger's hand,
His hot displeasure on your haughty foes
Pour'd the full tempest of unsparing woes.
Then, as his flock the tender shepherd leads
To softer herbage, and more fertile meads,
He led his chosen people far away,
Their guide in darkness, their defence by day.
Lo, at his word, th' obedient depths divide,
And 'whelm th' Egyptian in their refluent tide;
While rescued Israel, free from ev'ry care,
Gains the wish'd bank, and pours the vocal prayer.
From the cleft rock see sudden rills rebound,
And spread fresh verdure o'er the thirsty ground!
Yet still anew your disobedience sprung,
And discontent still murmur'd on your tongue;
- ↑ Psalm cv. and cvi, passim.
