Blair Collection > Poems and songs

28 GAELIC AND ENGLISH POEMS.
Some trodden gem lay at our feet unheeded.
Whilst, in our blindness, we have cherished stones;
We freely poured our balm where 'twas not needed,
Deaf to the wounded's bitter cries and moans ;
Crushed tender buds that fain would bloom for heaven,
Struggling for life among the thorny sod ;
Hushed the faint notes to some frail wanderer given,
To pour his ptean on the ear of God.
On Cfesar's shrine we've laid our temple shekel ;
Faith's wings are trailing, and our aims are low ;
A mystic finger on each act writes " Tekel,"
And motives blackened what we deemed like snow.
Ah ! what a retrospect ! — ah ! what a reck'ning !
With feet unwashed, soiled robes, and broken palms,
Whilst crowned saints our souls are daily beckoning
To where they sing their hallelujah psalms.
O Thou whose majesty and holy grandeur
Made even the smallest of Thy deeds sublime.
Who walked the earth in truth's unborrowed splendour.
Our gi'eat Example to the end of time.
Ashamed we cower 'neath Thy robe of whiteness,
Praying each passing year us all to find
Nearer the image of Thy glorious brightness,
In sinless lives and loftiness of mind.
VEESES I ROM MY SCRAP-BOOK.
When the aching soul is holden
In the darkness that enshrouds,
Not a gleam of sunshine golden —
Not a rainbow in the clouds.
Oh, the anguish ! oh, the sorrow,
Of the burden borne alone,
( If the grief for which no morrow
Gives a promise to atone !