And when Aaron and all the children of Israel

saw Moses, behold the skin of his face shone;

and they were afraid. Exod. xxxiv. 30.

1.

In radiance he came from the mount where he bowed,

To talk with the Lord in the veil of the cloud;

And light flashed before him, as trembling he trod,

From the mountain that quaked at the coming of God.

2.

’Twas Israel’s Prophet—oh breathe not his name,

Who talked with the Lord till his visage was flame;

Whose brow with the smile of Jehovah did glow,

And shone with the blaze of his glory below!

3.

Oh, bright as the mercy-seat dazzling afar,

He rose on the night of the vale like a star,

And dread was the sight to the recreant’s mirth,

Who praised his grim idol, while God was on earth.

4.

Then flew the swift shudder electric, of fear,

And stole the breath-whisper of guilt on the ear,

And the dancer was dumb at his orgies abhorr’d

And the renegade priest knew the friend of the Lord.

5.

And the virgins of Judah are lightsome of limb,

As they whirl round the Calf to a love-breathing hymn;

And the damsel’s swift heel hath a language that speaks,

And the hue of her heart flushes warm on her cheeks.

6.

A moment—and mute as the startled gazelle,

All wild is her eye—the dark eye of her spell!

And breaks the frail ring o’er the dance beaten sod,

Like flowers dropping pale from their garlanded god.

7.

So dazzling the beauty of holiness bright!

The glory of goodness—the wonderful light!

So, Lord, would I shine from my converse above,

So shed on the nations the light of thy love.

8.

And so from the mountains, the height of my prayer,

Where dwelling with thee, it was good to be there,

Grant, Lord, I may stoop to the valleys below,

With visage all radiant, and features that glow.