“ROOK OF AGES”

Kumara Times, Issue 238, 21 April 1884, Page 2

“ROOK OF AGES”

The following beautiful lines have been handed to us for publication. They are supposed not yet to have been in print and to be from the pen of the poet Wordsworth. They have special reference to the prayer contained in the opening and closing verses of Toplady’s celebrated hymn “Rock of Ages.” “Rock of Ages, cleft for me,” Thoughtlessly the maiden sung, Fell the words unconsciously, From her girlish, gleeful tongue ; Sang as little children sing; Sang as sing the birds in June ; Fell the words like light leaves down On the current of the tune — “ Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee. ” “ Let me hide myself in thee ” Felt her soul no need to hide ; Sweet the song as song could be, And she had no thought beside ; All the words unheedingly Fell from lips untouched by care, Dreaming not they each might be On some other lips a prayer—- “ Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.” “Rock of Ages, cleft for me,” ’Twas a woman sung them now, Pleadingly and prayerfully, Every word her heart did know ; Rose the song as storm-toss’d bird Beats with weary wing the air, Every note with sorrow stirred, Every syllable a prayer—- “ Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.” “ Rock of Ages, cleft for me,” Lips grown aged sung the hymn Trustingly and tenderly, Voice grown weak, and eyes grown dim, “ Let me hide myself in thee.” Trembling though the voice, and low, Ran the sweet strain peacefully, Like a river in its flow ; Sung as only they can sing, Who behold the promised rest—- “ Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.” “Rock of Ages, cleft for me,” Sung above a coffin lid Underneath, all restfully, All life’s joys and sorrows hid. Nevermore, 0 storm-tossed soul, Nevermore, from wind or tide, Nevermore from billows roll, Wilt thou need thyself to hide. Could the sightless, sunken eyes Closed beneath the soft grey hair, Could the mute and stiffened lips Move again in pleading prayer : Still, aye, still the words would be “Let me hide myself in thee.”