Page:Poems Shipton.djvu/187

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 Before the Jordan's flood
Will cry, "Behold the boaster
 Who anchored on his God."

The rolling river whispers,
 "Where is the vaunted faith
That, in life's summer morning,
 Unshrinking, looked on death?
You thought to cross the Jordan
 Like the light bark, fair and fleet,
And now you fail and tremble
 When the cold waves kiss your feet.

"Ah, stand still, and remember
 Your unbelief and pride;
Read o'er your life's long record,
 In stains of crimson dyed;
Your Saviour oft forsaken
 And wounded, as you strayed,
Unprized the love that sought you,
 Your Friend and Lord betrayed!"

All true—most true! A sinner
 By pride and passion tossed,
Who had no plea for pardon,
 Ruined, and dead, and lost!
But Jesus, oft forsaken,
 Hath rescued me, I know,
And my sins, as red as scarlet,
 Are now as white as snow.