And must I in thy pious offices Partake no longer? Ab. (Just is the reproof. She should not be defrauded of her part In this great sacrifice. She must know all.) Ab. Beloved wife, Tell me,-in present memory dost thou bear The unnumbered mercies God hath showered upon us? Sar. Ah! how can I forget them? Ab. Art thou grateful? Sar. He knows my heart. Ab. But should he ask from thee To give some difficult proof of gratitude, Sar. Content I were To meet all dangers, to lay down my life. Ab. And if he should demand thy son? Sar. Alas! though it might cost the pangs of death Unto the hand which gave, I would restore I must offer up the lad a sacrifice TO HIM. Such his behest; and absolute Sar. Abraham! sayest thou? Thy words amaze me. Can it be His will Our son should die, so dear to Him,-His own Of many and mighty nations? How? and why? Issued, 'tis ours in silence to obey, Not reason of its cause. Sar. And Isaac then Full soon Ab. Must on the altar yield his life. Ab. The Father too With his own hand must offer him. Oh wife! Thou wouldst partake, let thy free will attend Nor can permit. Farewell! From Isaac hide GOD ever merciful will with his grace Help thee, and afterward for righteousness It shall be accounted to thee. Ponder this, Let peace o'er thy sad bosom move, Than any Victim thou couldst slay. For tribute when the Victim dies; SARAH, alone. Yet then, a little while Miserable, afflicted, sorrow-stricken mother, Mother no longer shall I be? That bosom, That seat of truth--upon the altar-stone Transpierced, must all its innocent blood be shed? Of that dividing knife. Eternal Father, SARAH. ISAAC. GAMARI. Is. Mother. Sar. (That name! that image!) Is. I am summoned Servants. By Abraham. Is he not with thee? Swift I must speed to find him. Sar. Hearken-(Strengthen me, O God!) Is. Thou dost not know that they prepare A sacrifice, whereat I must attend. Sar. I know my son; I know. Yet hold! (I feel The pangs of death.) Do not forsake me thus! Is. My mother, why art thou disquieted, And wherefore dost thou weep? Sar. Alas! I am left Childless. Is. But I will soon return to thee. Surely for the first time I do not quit Thy much-loved presence. Sar. But this time-(Oh God! What agony hath ever equalled mine !) Is. Gamari, thou whom I have ever loved, Thou weepest still. What shall-what must I do? Thou knowest my father's will. Sar. Yes, go my son; His will be done. My will it shall be too, Isaac. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid, Though absent, I am with you still, to cheer you and to aid; I will not leave you comfortless, to sorrow here in I vain, go unto my father now, and I will come again. As I am in the Father, and in me the Father is, Believe the words I speak to you; not mine they are, but His. Believe, though for a little while, my face ye may not see, My promise, that where'er I am, there you shall also be. CHORUS OF SHEPHERDS, ETC. Oh! daughter of humility! Friend of each virtue that adorns the heart, Can to the faithful soul rich grace impart ! |