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THE LIBATION.

57

THE LIBATION.

H. WARE, JR.—"FEAST OF TABERNACLES."

HIGH-PRIEST.

The praise is said.

Another rite

"T is done.
Succeeds. Bring forth the sacred golden bowl;
And let the appointed priest convey it down
To Siloa's hallowed fountain. Let him draw
The sparkling waters; and with cautious step,
In glad procession, bring them up the mount,
And bear them to the altar of the Lord.

Attend him, ye that will; and, ye that will,
Abide, till with loud trump, and echoing shout,
And waving palms, the absent throng return.

WOMEN.

They go; they pass the gates; the sacred courts
They leave; their distant tread dies on the ear.
Wait not in silence for their slow return;
But wake the echoes of the Holy Place
With song, and warble forth the coming rite.

SONG (WOMAN).

Flow on, flow on, thou bright, clear stream!
Flow on, thou fair, perpetual fount!
Transparent as the sun's warm beam,
Bathe the stern foot of Judah's mount.

The sun above, thy waves below,
Unsullied shines, unsullied flow;
Thou as the crystal heavens art pure,
And like the heavens thou shalt endure.

The Temple crowns Moriah's height,
Thy waters murmur at its base;
That seems Jehovah's throne of light,
Thou his exhaustless fount of grace.
And when the emblems we would join
Of holy Love and Power divine,
We draw thy waters from their bed,

And pour them on the mountain's head.

PRIEST.

(Trumpet.)

They come, they come! their signal notes resound;

Their steps approach; their gladdening songs

draw near.

PEOPLE (returning).

Hosanna! hosanna! we bring the libation,
The waters that flow from the fount of salvation.

HIGH-PRIEST.

Now let the sacred element be borne

To the high altar's top; there, with the wine
Already hallowed for the sacrifice,

THE LIBATION.

59

Let it be mingled. With a reverent hand
Then pour the mixture out; while, flinging high
Their verdant palms, with solemn shout and song,
The people dance around their glorious shrine.

PEOPLE.

Hosanna! hosanna! pour out the libation!
Glory and beauty, O altar, to thee!

With gladness we draw from the wells of salva

tion

Waters of life, ever flowing and free.

Joy to thee, joy to thee, life-giving river!
Glory and beauty, O altar, to thee!

The streams of salvation roll onward for ever,
Life to the universe, boundless and free.

HIGH-PRIEST.

Now tell your children what this rite intends; What mean these glowing forms, these words of joy.

PRIEST.

The prophet gave the blow;
Forth gushed the cool, refreshing wave,
The parched and perishing to save,
Far as its waters flow.

Recalled to life, the dying band

Pressed eager to the destined land.

So, in some latter day, When Israel lies in woe and fear, Her great Anointed shall appear, To chase her dark dismay.

From Him a holier stream shall flow, To save the world from darker woe.

O, haste the glorious hour!
Haste, David's Son, illustrious King!
Come to thy waiting saints, and bring
Thy glory, peace, and power.

Hosanna! let the people cry;
Hosanna! earth and heaven reply.

PART III.

THE GOSPEL.

A CHRISTMAS HYMN.

ALFRED DOMETT.

It was the calm and silent night!
Seven hundred years and fifty-three
Had Rome been growing up to might,
And now was queen of land and sea!
No sound was heard of clashing wars,
Peace brooded o'er the hushed domain;
Apollo, Pallas, Jove, and Mars

Held undisturbed their ancient reign,
In the solemn midnight,
Centuries ago!

'T was in the calm and silent night!
The senator of haughty Rome
Impatient urged his chariot's flight,
From lordly revel rolling home.

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