Poems (Hale)/The Feeding of the Multitude
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THE FEEDING OF THE MULTITUDE.
Twilight was deepening into sombre night,
Along the shore of Galilee's fair sea.
Its waters lay in beauteous repose,
Save where the gentle breath of evening raised
A ripple on its surface, while around,
Humble, yet teeming with content and joy,
Rose the rude walls of many a fisher's home.
Along the shore of Galilee's fair sea.
Its waters lay in beauteous repose,
Save where the gentle breath of evening raised
A ripple on its surface, while around,
Humble, yet teeming with content and joy,
Rose the rude walls of many a fisher's home.
A throng, with wondering eye and listening ear,
Had gathered at the Master's side, intent
To see some healing miracle, and hear
The gracious words that issued from his lips.
All day, in holy love his feet had trod
Their path of mercy, bearing to the souls
Of that vast multitude the words of peace
Which fell upon their ears, even as a strain
From heavenly harps. With sweet compassion moved,
The dying frame he healed, strengthened the weak,
And whispered comfort to the sorrowing soul:
Nor this alone.
Had gathered at the Master's side, intent
To see some healing miracle, and hear
The gracious words that issued from his lips.
All day, in holy love his feet had trod
Their path of mercy, bearing to the souls
Of that vast multitude the words of peace
Which fell upon their ears, even as a strain
From heavenly harps. With sweet compassion moved,
The dying frame he healed, strengthened the weak,
And whispered comfort to the sorrowing soul:
Nor this alone.
Of that fair home he spoke,—
The Infinite, Unseen, the land of peace,
The blessed kingdom, where the "pure in heart
Shall see their God." What marvel that the eye
Gazed all entranced upon his face? the ear
Drank in the holy yet mysterious tones
Which told of such seraphic blessedness?
Well might they herald him Judea's king,
Whose hand unbarred the doors of heaven, who bade
Their vision gaze on the unclouded light
Revealed within.
The Infinite, Unseen, the land of peace,
The blessed kingdom, where the "pure in heart
Shall see their God." What marvel that the eye
Gazed all entranced upon his face? the ear
Drank in the holy yet mysterious tones
Which told of such seraphic blessedness?
Well might they herald him Judea's king,
Whose hand unbarred the doors of heaven, who bade
Their vision gaze on the unclouded light
Revealed 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 breathed
From the Redeemer's words. His followers came,
And prayed him speedily to send away
The famished multitudes. With gentle voice
He turned, unheeding their request, and said,
"Let them not go, but give ye them to eat."
With glance astonished on the Master's face
They gazed, and answered, "See our scanty store,—
Five loaves and two small fishes. What are they
Among so many?"
Yet pensive eve, with soft and balmy breath,
Scarce wooed their ravished spirits to repose,
So deep and holy was the spell that breathed
From the Redeemer's words. His followers came,
And prayed him speedily to send away
The famished multitudes. With gentle voice
He turned, unheeding their request, and said,
"Let them not go, but give ye them to eat."
With glance astonished on the Master's face
They gazed, and answered, "See our scanty store,—
Five loaves and two small fishes. What are they
Among so many?"
"Bring them unto me,"
The Saviour said: then to the throne of God
In fervent prayer his eye he raised, and asked
His Father's blessing on the humble meal.
The Saviour said: then to the throne of God
In fervent prayer his eye he raised, and asked
His Father's blessing on the humble meal.
Faith! Prayer! O! what a holy might is yours!
Ye have unloosed the gates of death, brought back
To earth the soul released from its embrace,
Eyes to the blind have given, bade the dumb
Break forth in strains of fervent thanksgiving,
And have brought near to man thy holy mount,
Jerusalem! "the mother of us all!"
Ye have unloosed the gates of death, brought back
To earth the soul released from its embrace,
Eyes to the blind have given, bade the dumb
Break 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 turn
Dispensed it to the seated multitude.
But; lo! can thought conceive, can language tell,
The glory beaming mid that wondering host?
An angel seemed amid their ranks to glide.
Speechless they gazed, for mingled love and awe
Had settled on their souls, as heavenly guests.
From mouthto mouth the scanty portion spread,
Miraculously multiplied, nor ceased
Till all were fed; when of the fragments left,
Twelve basketsful were gathered.
Dispensed it to the seated multitude.
But; lo! can thought conceive, can language tell,
The glory beaming mid that wondering host?
An angel seemed amid their ranks to glide.
Speechless they gazed, for mingled love and awe
Had settled on their souls, as heavenly guests.
From mouthto mouth the scanty portion spread,
Miraculously multiplied, nor ceased
Till all were fed; when of the fragments left,
Twelve basketsful were gathered.
Ye might well
Gaze on that miracle of wondrous might,
Ye unbelieving hearts, while from your lips
The exulting shout went up, proclaiming him
The Prophet-King, the Shiloh, long foretold
By ancient seers.
Gaze on that miracle of wondrous might,
Ye unbelieving hearts, while from your lips
The exulting shout went up, proclaiming him
The Prophet-King, the Shiloh, long foretold
By ancient seers.
Jesus, "Thou Bread of life!"
With food eternal feed our famished souls;
Nor let our footsteps faint, nor faith grow dim,
Till upon Zion's hill with thee we stand.
With food eternal feed our famished souls;
Nor let our footsteps faint, nor faith grow dim,
Till upon Zion's hill with thee we stand.