Poems (Hoffman)/Rock of Ages

by Martha Lavinia Hoffman

ROCK OF AGES
1884

"Rock of Ages," sang the maiden,
Knew she not of fear or dread,
Stifling air with hot smoke laden
Beat about her youthful head.

Red flames curled above, below her,
Shrieks of terror rent the air,
Angry flames leaped closer, closer
'Till they almost touched her hair;

Still the song's sweet, peaceful music
Rose above the wails of woe
"Till the breezes bore it downward
To the hurrying crowd below.

"Hark!" they said, "Who is it singing?"
And they strained their eyes to see
While the sweet song went on ringing
Forth its peaceful melody.

Dimly through the smoke and blackness
They beheld a woman's form
Clinging to an upper casement
Singing midst the fiery storm;

Listened they in breathless silence
Through that burning, seething sea,
Came the words distinctly, clearly:
"Rock of Ages cleft for me."

"Raise the ladders, we will rescue
Her who sings mid fire and smoke."
"I will go, she shall not perish,"
Thus the strong, brave fireman spoke;

Soon they reached the lonely figure
Standing on death's frightful brink,
The flames almost caught her garments
But she did not pause or shrink;

Back again to earth they brought her
To the frightened, wondering throng
And they asked in eager questions
All about her wondrous song.

"Could I fear," she said, "when o'er me
Seeing, hearing, knowing all
There was One who ever watchful
Heeds the sparrows when they fall?"

Wondrous faith, to stand there singing
With what seemed her dying breath,
Sweetest song when angels listened,
Glorious victory over death!