The Easter Gift/St John in the Wilderness
 Carlo Cignano pinx.W. Ensom sculp.
ST. JOHN IN THE WILDERNESS.
FISHER, SON & CO. LONDON, 1834 |
ST. JOHN IN THE WILDERNESS.
"And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his meal was locusts and wild honey." Matthew iii. 4.
Afar, he took a gloomy cave,
For his accustomed dwelling-place,
As dark, as silent as the grave,
As unfamiliar with man's face;
The stern and knotted trees grew round,
Blasted, and desolate, and grey,
And 'mid their sullen depth was found
A home for birds and beasts of prey.
Morning broke joyless, for the land
Knew no green grass, nor fragrant flower,
The barren rock, the burning sand,
Blessed not the sunshine, nor the shower.
Yet there the prophet dwelt alone,
Far from the city and the plain;
For him in vain their glory shone,
For him their beauty spread in vain.
He left his youth and life behind;
Each idol of the human heart,
Pleasures and vanities resigned,
Content to choose the better part.
Methinks, when hope is cold or weak,
And prayers seem but unwelcome tasks,
And worldly thoughts and feelings seek
To fill the hours religion asks;
If when the light of faith is dim,
The spirit would but ponder thus—
How much there was required of him,
How little is required of us!
All-Merciful, did we declare,
The glories which to Thee belong,
All life would pass in thankful prayer,
All breath in one triumphant song.