BEN ISAAC'S VISION
Ben Isaac walked in solitude one day
While o'er his heart a heavy burden lay;
Vain were his sacrifices, and the prayers he said
Seemed leaden-winged, and fell beside him dead.
Fasting he oft had spent a lonely day,
While wrapped around him folds of sackcloth lay;
'Twas useless all; in vain he looked for rest;
Anguish uncheered was still his constant guest.
While o'er his heart a heavy burden lay;
Vain were his sacrifices, and the prayers he said
Seemed leaden-winged, and fell beside him dead.
Fasting he oft had spent a lonely day,
While wrapped around him folds of sackcloth lay;
'Twas useless all; in vain he looked for rest;
Anguish uncheered was still his constant guest.
The weight seemed heavier than his heart could bear,
And once again he sought relief in prayer;
And vowed unblessed by rest, or any cheering good,
To pass the days in loneliest solitude.
Thrice had the glorious sun in golden rays.
Smiled out o'er earth, and called to loving praise;
It seemed but mockery to Ben Isaac's grief,
As day and night he vainly sought relief.
And once again he sought relief in prayer;
And vowed unblessed by rest, or any cheering good,
To pass the days in loneliest solitude.
Thrice had the glorious sun in golden rays.
Smiled out o'er earth, and called to loving praise;
It seemed but mockery to Ben Isaac's grief,
As day and night he vainly sought relief.
At last the angel Sleep his weary frame
Touched with her wand; and suddenly there came
A vision to Ben Isaac's wondering eyes,
That filled him with exceeding great surprise.
In awe unquestioning he marked the light,
Making the solitude with glory bright;
And in the midst an angel calmly stood,
His very presence speaking peace and good.
Touched with her wand; and suddenly there came
A vision to Ben Isaac's wondering eyes,
That filled him with exceeding great surprise.
In awe unquestioning he marked the light,
Making the solitude with glory bright;
And in the midst an angel calmly stood,
His very presence speaking peace and good.
Ben Isaac gazed until with voice that fell
As sweetly clear as Sabbath morning bell,
The angel spoke, and then he bowed his head.
"Your prayers are heard, your fastings seen," he said,
"And He who sitteth on the throne of Heaven,
And by whose love your blessings all are given,
As sweetly clear as Sabbath morning bell,
The angel spoke, and then he bowed his head.
"Your prayers are heard, your fastings seen," he said,
"And He who sitteth on the throne of Heaven,
And by whose love your blessings all are given,
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