Original Posters.

Colonist, Issue 20, 29 December 1857, Page 4

Original Posters.

" THE'SWEET SINGER OF ISRAEL."

VTtfERE wWi young and; goodly fiw^a : On-Judah'^niountains gray,.':.;■ . Who cheered hi&rflockby many a strain, . Where freshest pastures lay. ','."..' , Sweet.was hia lute, and sweet his voice, /At eve of shady noon, : ;. ; While fearless lambs, in sportive joys, Would dance to pleasure's tune. By ling'ring streams, dread beasts of prey "Couched near, to hear his sonsy ; ;Their, hunger fierce as sated lay . Divinest notes; among. ■ 'TheyTsmelt the floors, and licked the.leaves, -As if these sung-th& bliss; Or/rolled, or stretched oh sounding banks, They strove each tone to kiss. But midnight keen their fangs would bare, And rouse their ravin bold; In vain the watcher's.restless care,— ...'. They storm the peaceful fold! 1 The thundering lion "and the bear, . When musicslept, awoke, ; And, loud with rushing terrors there, Upon the.feeble broke. Our shepherd heard the sudden cry Of well-known innocence, . - And. like a fire-bolt from the 6ky JBCe 6hot for. its defence. In all their force of bloody strength, : ' He smptethem to the ground; : .?/ f-Arid thfere atmom, in horrid length, . , -The d&ughtefed plagues were found. VTheiteejart ofKingl^ Saul was torn passion's ire* ;"■ v: ": ;; Ambitious pride, or phrensied scorn, ■ Gnawed there, with teeth of fire. Our valiant'harper came and played .'Till frantic thoughts repose;—; / Tired wo^refreshed," with tears repaid , Restoring song's blest close I . Ereloiig a* giant proudly strode, O'er God and Saul to boast, "In dazz'lirig mail, a brazen load, ■Hescoffed at Israel's host. His buckler shone a mocking sun, His spear destruction's flame!. Pale, routed tribes before him run, Panting with fear and shame! Ouf'brave youth saw his blasting look Qf godles», huge dispair, And. from his faithful hand he shtook A pabble winged by prayer:— The monster falls before a sling Whose little stone hath sped; With cloven brain, the boaster vain Lies prostrate all and dead! So let the minstrel ever be, — -A "haro skilled in song, -From boding ills the mind to free, "Orslay oppressors strong. Yet Judah's bravest singer, sweet "Wept error's bitter days I His tears,—translated as was meet,— Are'inspiration's lays! His mighty soul from Canaan's hills For ever pours" its grief,— . And charming joy, whose endless rills Are thirsting iajth's relief. .Oh hark! from thrice ten thousand throngs, ..The human and divine Of David's songs, one hope prolongs, At Love's eternal shrine! .'— JUBAL. -December 25th, 1857.