Thrice Sacred Mount! how oft hast thou, (Though none but pilgrims tread thee now,) Been hallowed as the blest abode Of the Most High! Jehovah! God! Whene'er in furthering his plan Of mercy and of love to man, He deigned to touch our earth, to hold Communion with his Seers of old, His presence consecrated thee, His temple and his throne to be. 'Twas on thy Mount that God, concealed Within the burning bush, revealed To Moses his command, to free His people from their slavery. There, from the midst of fire and flame, He did his perfect law proclaim: Then seemed God's presence in their sight, A great, a mighty burst of light Upon thy topmost mount, a fire Devouring, brighter, deeper, higher, Than e'er their eyes beheld, a crown Of glory on thy head, that down Through all the desert brightness past, Like wild flame from a holocaust: And gazing on thy glorious height, } Israel was dazzled by the sight } Of that intolerable light. }
Pursued by persecution's flame, Elijah to the desert came; And as he rested in thy cave, Which shelter and concealment gave, God spoke! he lay entranced in fear, "Elijah! speak! what dost thou here?" He answered,--"Jezabel abhorred Hath put the prophets to the sword, And I alone escaped, to be A prophet and a priest to thee." Then the Almighty gave command, "Go forth, and on the mountain stand!" But ere Elijah could reply, A great and mighty wind passed by, Which rent the mountains and the rocks In pieces, by resistless shocks: The desert sands uprose afar, Moving like giant forms in war; But, when the tempest ceased to rave, Elijah still within the cave, Remained unhurt, unmoved, alone-- A mighty earthquake's shock anon Shook to its base the Sacred Mount, And soon a fire, like a small fount, Came bursting from the highest spot, Increasing, but consuming not. The earthquake vanished as it came, And after it that holy flame; And hark! a still small voice was heard, Like sweetest music from a bird; A still small voice! that speaks to youth Of wisdom, piety, and truth: Elijah heard--with solemn pace, (His mantle covering his face,) He rose and stood without the cave, Relying on God's power to save: The hurricane had past away, And calm and bright the prospect lay; Far up the double mountain stood, Varied by water and by wood; He saw the herbage thickly grow, The bubbling springs, and far below He saw the semicircular fount, That like a bent bow skirts the mount; He saw the desert spread beneath, Like an extended vale of death; He saw the blue sky far above, Light up in one bright blaze of love; A burst, of sunshine fell on him, To which all other light was dim; He heard again that still small voice, Which made his inmost heart rejoice: It was the Lord! and power he gave Elijah, to anoint and save.