Classic Poem

" WHEN JORDAN HUSHED "

When Jordan hushed his waters still,
And silence slept on Zion hill,
When Salem's shepherds, thro' the night,
Watched o'er their flocks by starry light —

Hark! from the midnight hills around
A voice of more than mortal sound
In distant hallelujahs stole,
Wild murmuring, on the raptured soul.

Then swift to every startled eye
New streams of glory gild the sky;
Heaven bursts her azure gates to pour
Her spirits to the midnight hour.

On wheels of light and wings of flame
The glorious hosts to Zion came.
High Heaven with sounds of triumph rung,
And thus they smote their harps and sung —

" Oh Zion, lift thy raptured eye,
The long-expected hour is nigh —
The joys of Nature rise again —
The Prince of Salem comes to reign!

" See, Mercy from her golden urn
Pours a glad stream to them that mourn;
Behold, she binds with tender care
The bleeding bosom of despair. —

" He comes! He cheers the trembling heart —
Night and her spectres pale depart;
Again the day-star gilds the gloom —
Again the bowers of Eden bloom!

" Oh, Zion, lift thy raptured eye,
The long-expected hour is nigh —
The joys of Nature rise again,
The Prince of Salem comes to reign!"