58
A SHEAF GLEANED
Mighty I've lived and lonely from my birth,
Oh, let me sleep the sleep of all the earth.'
The people waited long. They feared God's wrath,
And dared not gaze upon the mountain path.
Whene'er they raised their eyes, the clouds piled black
Redoubled deafening, thunder, storm and wrack,
And sheets of lightning, blinding earth and air,
Made them bow down again in silent prayer.
The mountain top at last from clouds grew free,
But where was Moses? Him they could not see.
They wept his loss. To lead them to their land
Stepped to the front, the sceptre in his hand,
Joshua, God's new Elect, oppressed with care,
Pensive and pale, the weight of rule to bear.
