the feeding of the multitude.
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Whose hand unbarred the doors of heaven, who badeTheir vision gaze on the unclouded lightRevealed within.
The day was now far spent,Yet pensive eve, with soft and balmy breath,Scarce wooed their ravished spirits to repose,So deep and holy was the spell that breathedFrom the Redeemer's words. His followers came,And prayed him speedily to send awayThe famished multitudes. With gentle voiceHe turned, unheeding their request, and said,"Let them not go, but give ye them to eat."With glance astonished on the Master's faceThey gazed, and answered, "See our scanty store,—Five loaves and two small fishes. What are theyAmong so many?"
"Bring them unto me,"The Saviour said: then to the throne of GodIn fervent prayer his eye he raised, and askedHis Father's blessing on the humble meal.
Faith! Prayer! O! what a holy might is yours!Ye have unloosed the gates of death, brought backTo earth the soul released from its embrace,Eyes to the blind have given, bade the dumbBreak forth in strains of fervent thanksgiving,And have brought near to man thy holy mount,Jerusalem! "the mother of us all!"
He gave to his disciples: they in turnDispensed it to the seated multitude.
