| |
| DOWN from the mist-clad mountain Moses came, | |
| His face aglow with some strange inward flame— | |
| Down the long slope with winged feet he trod, | |
| And vision clear, for he had talked with God! | |
| |
| Before the mount he saw his people stand, | 5 |
| As he had bidden. Slow he raised his hand— | |
| A solemn stillness bound them as they saw, | |
| Their restive hearts athrill with reverent awe. | |
| |
| Deep was his voice and tender. E’en the birds | |
| Poised on their moveless wings to hear his words. | 10 |
| From out the misty cloud that wraps the hill, | |
| There came the voice of God, so small and still. | |
| |
| And thus it said: “These words to Israel bring: | |
| As I have borne them forth on eagle’s wing | |
| From Egypt’s bonds, so will I guard them still | 15 |
| If they obey my voice, and do my will. | |
| |
| “Yea, Israel shall a priestly people be, | |
| A most peculiar treasure unto Me; | |
| If they do heed the Law that I do give. | |
| My people, say! Will ye obey and live?” | 20 |
| |
| With hands uplifted stood the leader there, | |
| His face ablaze! And on the desert air | |
| There rose a murmur swelling loud and true, | |
| “All that the Lord doth bid us, will we do!” | |
| |
| So went he once again within the mist | 25 |
| That hid the somber mountain, grey, cloud-kissed; | |
| And as they watched, the waiting people saw | |
| Him come again, and in his arms, the Law! | |
| |
| Thus came the Word—and thus the right to hear | |
| The message, that the world might know and share. | 30 |
| Yea, theirs the gift! But theirs the promise, too. | |
| Whate’er the Lord hath spoken, that we’ll do. | |
| |
| Tho’ there at Sinai’s foot, in age long dead, | |
| Our fathers hath the sacred covenant said, | |
| Their blood is ours! and their promise true! | 35 |
| Whate’er the Lord hath bidden, shall we do! | |
| |
