The Voice of the Shepherd: A Poem

122 IMPROVEMENT ERA. And on the slopes of Galilee I bade you rest, and gave you bread Remember ye wild Galilee — The tempests, the complaining deep? With fearful hearts you cried to me, And lo, I gave her back to sleep. Remember when the tyrant hand Bade Zion from her own depart — A lamentation in the land? 'Twas I who healed her broken heart. Once upon the dreary plain Of earth you lifted up to me A pleading voice, and not in vain; The wolf of death encompassed thee! I saw your fears, and heard your cries, And marked the foe so gaunt and grim, And gave myself a sacrifice ; I came between my sheep and him. And shall I now withhold from thee Mine ample arm, which long has fought Thy battles unto liberty — From death to life — and changes not? Be patient, just a little while ! Thy foes are mine, I am thy Lord ! Today's a day of trust and trial, Tomorrow cometh the reward. Theo. E. Curtis, Salt Lake City, Utah.