Page:Poems Shipton.djvu/162

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148
WHISPERS 'NEATH THE PALMS.

Is not more fair in its Creator's eyes
Than the bruised reed beneath thy careless foot.

"Did they not crown thy Master's brow with thorns,
And lead Him forth to die—yea, die for thee—
Surrounded by the scoffing multitude,
That in false homage bent the mocking knee?"

Hast thou not wept, while pondering on that hour?
I know thou hast. But didst thou never heed
How in His hand, the right Hand of His power,
They thrust a sceptre?—'twas a feeble reed.

"They knew not what they did; but thou hast known.
Why art thou troubled? Why this sore distress?
For that frail sceptre still shall bruise the foe,
And carry comfort to the comfortless.

"They knew not what they did. It is that Hand
That now upholds thee, lest thou fly, or yield:
Cast then thy weakness on Almighty power;
I am thy sure reward, thy Sun and Shield."

"Oh, cleanse the vessel Thou hast emptied, Lord,
And make me meet to bear the oil and wine!
It is enough to be a thins; of nought:
The might and glory, Lord, be Thine—all Thine!"

[Note.—It is an Oriental tradition, that the palm branches, when they quiver in the wind, whisper the name which is above all other names—"Jesus." The only traveller I have met who ever listened