200 PO.IMS OJ '1'JD: BOCI4L AliD DOXES'fiO Al'JPIXl'I'IONS.
Bow strikingly the eoune of nature tells,
By ite light heed of huma.n suffering,
ThAt it was fashion'd for a hAppier world I
King David's limbs were weary. He had fied
From far J eruaalem ; aud now he stood,
With his faint people, for a little rest
Upon the shore of Jordan: The light wind
or morn was stirring, and he bared his brow
To ite refreshing breath; for he had worn
The mourner's covering, and he had not felt
That he could see 'hill people nntil now.
They gather'd round him on the fresh green bank,
And spoke their kinrlly worrla ; and, as the sun
:Boee up in heaven, be knelt among them there,
And bow'd his bead upon his banda to pray.
Oh! when the heart ia full- when bitter thougbte
Come crowding thickly up for utterance,
And the poor common words of courtesy
Are such a very mockery-bow much
The burating heart may pour itself in prayer!
He pray'd for Israel-and his voice went up
Strongly and fervently. He pray'd for those
Whoee love bad been bi.a shield-and bill deep ton~
Grew tremulous. But, oh I for Absalom-
For bill Mtrantted, misguided Abealom-
The proud, br1ght being, who bad burst awny
In aU his princely beauty, to defy
The heart that cheriah'd him-for hiru be pour'd,
In agony that would not be controll'd,
Strong supplication, and forgave him there,
Before his God, for his deep ainfulneea.The pall 1t'&a settled. He who elept beneath
Was etraighten'd for the grave; and. as the folde
Bunk to the still proportions, they betray'd
The matchle88 sytum11try of Absalom.
His hair was yet unshorn, and silken curia
Were fioating round the tassels u they eway'd
To the admitted air, a.a glOilBy now
As when, in houra o! gentle dalliance, bathing
The snowy fingera of Judea's daughtera.
Bis helm wa.s at his feet : his banner, aoil'd
With trailing through Jerusalem, was laid,
Be versed, be8ide h.iJii; and the jewell'd hilt,