Poems (Stephens)/The stars

by Eliza Jane Stephens

For works with similar titles, see The Stars.

THE STARS.

Oh wondrous stars! six thousand years
 Those pure unchanging beams of light,
Have travell'd through immensity,
 The crowning glory of the night.

For you were there on that glad morn,
 When first creations work was done;
Tour songs of praise ascended with
 The shouts of joy then just begun.

And when God bless'd as "very good"
 The creatures of His mighty hand,
Ye had begun your tireless race
 In grandeur too a matchless band.

While our Eden's perfect bloom,
 Around that sinless happy pair,
Tour calm effulgence gently spread
 A lustre as divinely fair.

And when was made that fearful plunge
 From innocence to guilt so vast,
That angels wept o'er ruined man,
 No clouds athwart your beams were cast.

But ye through sure appointment led
 The path to where the Savior lay;
A sacrifice complete for all,
 A sacred teacher of the Way.

And while within the garden lone
 He knelt in agonizing prayer;
When dear disciples soundly slept,
 You kept the solemn watches there.

Nor can we doubt, but o'er the Mount
 Where Christ for sinners did atone;
You pierced the awful darkness through,
 And 'round the cross in glory shone.

So when the angel roll'd the stone
 Back from the portal of His tomb.
Ye were the first, with chasten'd beams,
 "To enter that sepulchral gloom."

And as He then revealed to man
 A helper for each trying hour;
So ye are ever showing forth
 Eternal majesty and power.

And bidding us who fear to doubt,
 Yet long to change our faith for sight;
Be faithful and we yet shall find
 Beyond your spheres a source of light.