Classic Poem

Glassy Jordan, smooth meandering
Jacob's flowery meads between,
Lo! thy waters, gently wandering,
Lave the valleys rich and green.

When the winter, keenly showering,
Strips fair Salem's holy shade,
There thy current, broader pouring,
Lingers in the leafless glade. ...

When shall freedom, holy charmer,
Cheer my long-benighted soul?
When shall Israel, fierce in armour,
Burst the tyrant's base control? ...

Gallant nation! nought appalled you,
Bold in Heaven's propitious hour,
When the voice of freedom called you
From a tyrant's haughty power;

When their chariots, clad in thunder,
Swept the ground in long array;
When the ocean, burst asunder,
Hovered o'er your sandy way.

Whither fled, O altered nation!
Whither fled that generous soul?
Dead to freedom's inspiration,
Slaves of Ammon's base control!

God of heaven! whose voice commanding
Bids the whirlwind scour the deep —
Or the waters, smooth expanding,
Robed in glassy radiance, sleep — ...

Grasp, O God! thy flaming thunder;
Launch thy stormy wrath around!
Cleave their battlements asunder,
Shake their cities to the ground!

Hast thou dared in mad resistance,
Tyrant, to contend with God?
Shall not Heaven's supreme assistance
Snatch us from thy mortal rod? ...

Mark the battle, mark the ruin!
Havoc loads the groaning plain!
Ruthless vengeance, keen pursuing,
Grasps thee in her iron chain!