“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not ! ” . LUKE xiii. 34.

OW often, O Jerusalem, would I have gathered

Thy careless children to Myself secure to keep,
E'en as a hen her brood beneath her wings soft-feathered
Doth call and nestle free from every harm to sleep :

I would, but ye would not!

How often, O ye weary ones, would I have carried

Those heavy burdens that your hearts so sorely press;
How oft I've called, and oh ! how wearily l’ve tarried,
Longing in vain to ease you of your dire distress :

I would, but ye would not !

How often, O ye tempted ones, would I have wielded

My Arm divine against assaults from lurking foes;
And victors ye'd have proved where now ye've tamely yielded,
And plunged yourselves, alas ! in deepest, saddest woes;

I would, but ye would not !

How often, O ye hungry ones, would I have nourished

Your famished, sinking bodies with the needed bread;
How often, too, your thirsting spirits should have flourished
By the cool waters where My flock I gently led ;

I would, but ye would not !