Poems (Toke)/Peter weeping

by Emma Toke

PETER WEEPING.

ES, weep—weep on! No marvel now
 That fast those scorching teardrops rain
Yet seen not, as they darkly flow,
 To cool or calm thy burning brain.

The pangs which rend thy tortured heart.
 Bach deep convulsive sob may show,
And every bursting groan impart
 The secret of some 'whelming woe.

Alas! alas! at this sweet hour,
 When all is starlit, calm, and clear,
Too well mayst thou in secret pour
 The meed of many a heart-wrung tear!

But who that 'neath the morning's beam
 Beheld thy glance so proud and free,
Or heard thee vow to die for Him,
 Who soon will gladly die for thee,

Could think, ere falling eve, that eve
 Beneath a woman's scorn would quail,
And thrice those coward lips deny
 The Gracious Friend once loved so well?

Yet, ah! 'tis true!—the deed is done!
 Betrayed by all most loved below,
The Lord of Life is left alone,
 To drain the last sad cup of woe.

And thou—the first to own thy Lord,
 To boast thy love of all the best,—
Hast now but deeper plunged the sword
 That pierces through His bleeding breast,

And yet thy tears of anguish flow,
 Thy soul seems wrung with grief untold;
Oh! what could wake that tide of woe,
 Or melt a heart so dead and cold?

Did Heaven's fierce thunders burst thy trance.
 Or fear thy guilty bosom move?
AN, no! 'twas one mild, sorrowing glance,
 One look of wronged but changeless love.

No storm can bid the torrent flow,
 When bound in Winter's icy chain;
But let the sunbeam smile, and lo!
 The waters leap to life again!

And thus the bolt of wrath might bow,
 But could not melt' thy frozen heart;
Yet, touched by Mercy's kindly glow,
 How soon the gushing waters start!

Then weep thou on, but let thy tears
 Be those of soft, repenting love;
And let this hour, through future years,
 A beacon-star of warning prove.

So shalt thou rise from depths of woe,
 With humbled heart but soaring eye,
To run a glorious course below,
 And win a Martyr's crown on high.

Such was thy lot! And oh! may He
 Whose one soft glance could win thee home,
Now look, as then He looked on thee,
 And bid each wandering spirit come.

Yes, may He touch each hardened heart,
 And lead them on with "cords of love:"
To fill like thee their earthly lot,
 And share Thy glorious lot above!

E.

May 20, 1833.