Classic Poem

PARABLE XIV.

The Fig-tree.

Hard on the great tremendous day
Of tribulation, and dismay,
Thick darkness shall the sun-beams veil,
And all the lunar brightness fail;
Each star shall fall from out his sphere,
The pow'rs above shall quake with fear:
Then they in heav'n the SIGN shall view
Of him, they crucify'd and slew.
Then shall the nations weep and sigh
To see the Son of Man on high,
With all the host of heav'n around,
And in stupendous glory crown'd;
And then he shall th' angelic band
With the shrill trumpet's voice command,
To call and congregate the blest
From north to south, from east to west.
Now learn a parable in brief
About the fig-tree and its leaf,
Which tree while it is tender now,
And puts forth verdure from each bough,
Ye hail the token, and descry
At once, that summer-time is nigh.
So when ye see these things, my friends,
Know ye, the dreadful day impends;
Attend ye, for in very deed
The present race shall not recede
Before these things you hear from me,
Shall be fulfill'd in a degree
The heav'n and earth shall pass away,
But not one word of what I say.