272 REDEMPTION.
The Man of Sorrows and with grief acquaint, Deaf ear turn'd, and the Father fervent pray'd :
" Father, all things are possible with Thee. From me, this chalice, if 't may be, let pass ; If not, amen, thy will, not mine, be done."
The Son's petition pierced the Father's heart, And his averted face turn'd tow'rds the spot, Where his Beloved groan'd beneath our load. Yearning the dol'rous weight of woe to ease, Paternal tenderness for mercy pleads ; But justice strict, the penalty demands, Nor yields a tittle, from th' offended law ; Or He, or man, the awful price must pay, For that transgression, which entail'd us woe ; Yet, not forbids some mark of mercy's bent, Some messenger of comfort from above, To speak of love supreme, and strengthen him.
"Go, Michael;" so the Father said; "go, clad In thy puissance, arm'd with pow'r and might, Th' infernal Adversary's force to quell. Drive headlong from the field our mortal foe, Who seeks anew, though vain, by man's last Hope Destroy'd, or to his side withdrawn, his own To raise o'er ours, and dev'lish empire build ; And deems, from this dark hour's permissive grief, That heav'n deserts its charge, to death consign'd; Nor sees the dawning day of triumph gleam On man's redemption, man through grace restored, With title clear, for so free grace awards, To life and joy immortal in the skies. Go, messenger of strength, sustain my Son, Support his spirits drooping, raise his head,
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