AWAKE, oh Israel! and hear That thy Redemption draweth near; Arise ye mourners! God hath sent Fulfilment of His covenant! It cometh not by war's decrees And blood of martyrs broad as seas; The deeper purposes of God We learn in kindness, not by rod. Within yourself, O Israel! Deliverance cometh—heed this wail! Then cease thy groans; Be men! Be men! And God will send Redemption then. What slave was freed, who loved his yoke? Thou canst not rise with spirits broke. God's beloved art thou still, O Israel, obey his will. And even now His chosen seed Shall reap those blessings long decreed. Be worthy then—your God shall see And His Redemption send to thee. Honor the God thy fathers loved And love the God thy fathers praised; Then Israel, thou'lt rise again A people honored by all men. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HIS LADY'S HAND by THOMAS WYATT TELL'S BIRTHPLACE by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE PARTY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE TENT ON THE BEACH: 10. THE PALATINE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 14. THE POWERFUL ATTRACTION by PHILIP AYRES SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 4. THE OLD VALLEY by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) MAXIMS FOR THE OLD HOUSE: THE THRESHOLD by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH |