WHAT time the Saviour spread His feast | |
| For thousands on the mountain’s side, | |
| One of the last and least | |
| The abundant store supplied. | |
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| Haply, the wonders to behold, | 5 |
| A boy ’mid other boys he came, | |
| A lamb of JESUS’ fold, | |
| Though now unknown by name. | |
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| Or for his sweet obedient ways | |
| The Apostles brought him near, to share | 10 |
| Their Lord’s laborious days, | |
| His frugal basket bear? | |
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| Or might it be his duteous heart, | |
| That led him sacrifice to bring | |
| For his own simple part, | 15 |
| To the world’s hidden King? | |
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| Well may I guess how glow’d his cheek, | |
| How he look’d down, half pride, half fear | |
| Far off he saw one speak | |
| Of him in JESUS’ ear. | 20 |
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| ‘There is a lad—five loaves hath he, | |
| And fishes twain:—but what are they | |
| Where hungry thousands be?’— | |
| Nay, Christ will find a way. | |
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| In order, on the fresh green hill, | 25 |
| The mighty Shepherd ranks his Sheep | |
| By tens and fifties, still | |
| As clouds when breezes sleep. | |
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| O who can tell the trembling joy, | |
| Who paint the grave endearing look, | 30 |
| When from that favoured boy | |
| The wondrous pledge He took?— | |
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| Keep thou, dear child, thine early word; | |
| Bring Him thy best: who knows but He | |
| For His eternal board | 35 |
| May take some gift of thee? | |
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| Thou prayest without the veil as yet: | |
| But kneel in faith: an arm benign | |
| Such prayer will duly set | |
| Within the holiest shrine. | 40 |
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| And Prayer has might to spread and grow. | |
| Thy childish darts, right-aim’d on high, | |
| May catch Heaven’s fire and glow | |
| Far in the eternal sky: | |
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| Even as He made that stripling’s store | 45 |
| Type of the Feast by Him decreed, | |
| Where Angels might adore, | |
| And souls for ever feed. | |
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