THE VALLEY OF JEHOSAPHAT.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 31, 3 January 1846, Page 4

THE VALLEY OF JEHOSAPHAT.

Nothing can be more picturesque or more melancholy than the view of this ancient field of the dead, the burying place of the chief people of Jerusalem for ages. The Jewish Kings here found tombs, of which striking remnants are to be seen even at this day. Tradition 'gives the sepulchres the names of Jewish chieftains, and even of Christian saints. But the features of nature are still more interesting; through the valley flows the brook Cedron, still of a purple tinge; above it rises Mount Olivet, aud within view are the towers of unhappy Jerusalem. Come, gaze with me upon this vale, See yonder cypiess ■« aye. Hear yonder mourner's lonely wail Above the new made (rrave ; Mark yonder sanguine tinted stream, So slowly gliding by, All strange and solemn as a dream, That dream Mortality. Yet in that vale's forgotten bed Lies many a glorious name, The hero's heart, the sage's head, The prophet's eye of flame. There Kings the diadem laid down, There royal beauties sleep, The simple turf alone theii own, Where yonder willows weep. Beneath that scuptured grotto tomb, Lies David bold and brave, The son of beauty, Absalom ; There Zechariah's grave. A violet-bed beneath a spring, Wheie Israel's pilgrims tell From many an angel's golden string The midnight anthems swell. But in the sunbeam's purple set, What mount looks bright above ? There stands in glory Olimikt, Thou scene of more than love ! Thou scene of more than mortal pain, Mountain of agony ! Where freedom's Lord embraced the chain, Death's Conqueror came to die!