W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
Paul
Samuel Johnson (18221882)T
With desert cry and Calvary’s cross sublime,
Had equal need on thee its power to prove,
Thou soul of passionate zeal and tenderest love!
Proud to fulfil each time-exalted rule,
How broke the illusion of thy swelling wrath
On that meek front of calm, enduring faith!
That thou hadst spurned a love that died for thee!
And all the pride went down in whelming flood
Of boundless shame and boundless gratitude.
For every wounding slight, a psalm of praise;
Unending worship shall the debt consume;
For hours of rage, a life of martyrdom.
What chilling sense of claim or debt can stay?
O wondrous power of noble love, to free
From binding Law to glorious Liberty!
Full pours the tide in widening stream for thee;
Lift for new liberties that conquering sign;
Shatter the severing walls with touch divine!