New-York tribune., 1878-06-25
CHRISTIAN AND CHRISTIANA.
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CHRISTIAN AND CHRlSIlANA.
E. C. Sleaaan's PEN a ne Goldsn Wefdfng@ Wlltam e.
Who has not ead,-what man that loved
Good English, pOus speech and valiant decd
The rare old book IN which John Bauyan proved
His poets heart aiiye beneath his creed.
Who has not in his fancy travelled long
With Christian on that ancient pilgrimage,
Shared all his fears and lifted mp the song
After the battles it was his 10 wage;
Or with brave Chrishana followed on,
Choosing the path her lord had trod before
Until the Heavenly CITY, almost won,
ShOne like dream beyond the Rivers shore
We'll 'tis a Qoodly tale, we think, and close
The book we have FROM childhood read. and say,
THE age of miracles Is past! VINO knows
The Joyous saints, the pilgrims OF to-day 7
"No light" we say, like that winch was Of old"-
Yet still serenely shine the midnight stags'
And there are wonders lett us to behold
III we but think TO look between the bars.
Even now. before our eyes. his large heart warm
With the fine heat that shames our colder blood,
Stands Christian, ~ as true and living form
As that IN which old Bunyans hero stood
Long since this happy pilgrim, staff in hand,
Set out. vet not alOne-for by his side
Went Chrstiana also toward the Land
Anear whose boundaries they now abide.
Each day less distant from the City's Gate,
Through shade and sunshine hand III hand they
Now combating the foes that lay in wait,
Early the Palace Beautiful they found
Where Prudence, Charity, aud Faith abide:
Tho Lowy Valley little had 10 wound
Their ReutleT hearts devoid OF scOrn aud pride.
The darker Valley of the Shadow of Death
They passed. but with them One, they knew was near
Staid by whose rod and stan tho Psalmist satin
The tOlIng pilgrim shall no evil fear.
And many seasons afterward they dwelt
In Varity's great city. There apart
From all things base and mean. they humby knelt
With prayer upon their lips and pure OF heart.
He. too, has fought with giants.-thOse that lurk
Ia fastnesscs Of want, despair and sin
by day and night he did his Masters work,
Hoping a house not made with hands TO VIM
And Christian from tho outset took
Sweet Mercy for a guide and bOsOm-friend,
And sought with her the poor in every nook,
Giving as one that 10 the Lord doth lend
Together thus thgy climbed above the pass
Where from the hill delectable It's given
To gaze st moments through the shepherds glass,
And catch far-oh rapturous glimpse OF heaven.
Sorrows they knew; but what delight was thero
I'D ofteu-times where the still waters How,
OR in green pastures guided unaware
To trees of life that hung their irultage loWI
Now ere the pilgrimage is ended quite,
Its weariness forgot, they seat them down
In Beulab in q country OF denght
And rest a season ere they wear the oroWn
Here. after half century, they breathe
Air fresh from Paradise and here renew
Their WeddingYOws, while unseen WascueIs nio@'H0
For each a chaplet, sprayed with golden de"
blessing and blest, amidst their household group
Christian and Chrstiana here await
Their summons knowing that the shining uoup
Will bear 70 each token. soon OF laJe'
And v0o who gather near,-Ourselves too blind
To see nndazed the light OF Heavens grace
Their well-loved visages behold, and hnd
A bright reflected glory IN eacb iace.