FullReads

‘YET speaketh!’ though the voice is hushed that filled
Cathedral nave or choir, like clearest bell,
With music of God’s truth,–that softly thrilled
The silence of the mourner’s heart,–that fell
So sweetly, oh, so sweetly, on the ear
Of those to whom that voice was dearest of the dear.

‘Yet speaketh!’ For the echo lingers yet
Where fifty years ago his voice was heard,
And old men weep, who never can forget
Their early gladness through his faithful word;
O’er all the waves and storms of life between,
That voice floats on for them still powerful and serene.

‘Yet speaketh!’ Glowing hymns, like heavenly breeze,
That stir us, and our soft Hosannas lift
To Hallelujahs;–holy melodies,
Enrobed in grand sweet harmonies, a gift
Laid wholly on the altar of his God,
Without one thought or care for this world’s vain applaud:

Deep teachings from the Word he held so dear,
Things new and old in that great treasure found;
A valiant cry, a witness strong and clear,
A trumpet with no pale, uncertain sound:–
These shall not die, but live; his rich bequest
To that beloved Church whose servant is at rest.

‘Yet speaketh!’ In the memory of those
To whom he was indeed ‘ a living song,'[1]
The voice, that like fair morning light arose,
Rings on with holy influence deep and strong;
Rings on, unmingled with another sound,
The sweetest, clearest still among all others found

‘Yet speaketh!’ By that consecrated life,
The single-hearted, noble, true, and pure,
Which, lifted far above all worldly strife,
Could all but sin so patiently endure.
O eloquence! by this he speaketh yet;
For who that knew and loved could evermore forget?

‘Yet speaketh!’ E’en the shadow, poor and dim,
Of sun-traced portrait, and the cold, white stone
(All that the stranger-artist guessed of him),
Speak to our hearts in gentle spirit-tone,
Vocal with messages of faith and love,
And burning thoughts that fall like swift stars from above

‘Yet speaketh!’ There was no last word of love,
So suddenly on us the sorrow fell;
His bright translation to the home above
Was clouded with no shadow of farewell;
His last Lent evening closed with praise and prayer,
And then began the songs of endless Easter there.

‘Yet speaketh!’ O my father, now more dear
Than ever, I have cried–‘Oh, speak to me
Only once more, once more!’ But now I hear
The far-off whisper of thy melody;
Thou art ‘yet speaking’ on the heavenly hill,
Each word a note of joy,–and shall we not ‘be still’?