When Joshua in the days of old <br /> Stood forth upon old Jordan’s bank, <br /> And past the flood that backward rolled <br /> His host came dryshod, rank on rank; <br /> The warrior angel of the Lord, <br /> A glorious shining creature, bared <br /> Before him there a flaming sword, <br /> And thus the mind of God declared— <br /> “Lo, I am with you! Here shall dwell <br />My chosen people; here I plant thee, Israel!” <br /> The walls of Jericho are strong, <br /> And ribbed throughout with many a tower, <br /> And yet her monarch’s armed throng <br /> Stand trembling round his throne of power; <br /> For circling still those walls about, <br /> Behold the Ark of God is borne! <br /> Blow, trumphets, blow! Shout, Israel, shout! <br /> ’Tis done, and from the earth uptorn <br /> At once they scatter and disform <br />Like the grey, cloud-built bastions of a bursting storm. <br /> <br /> Five kings at Gibeon are met, <br /> Five mighty kings of ancient name, <br /> And they are boasting they will set <br /> A blood-red bound to Joshua’s fame. <br /> But the sun stands fast on Gibeon’s hill, <br /> And the moon is fixed o’er Ajalon, <br /> That Israel’s host in vengeance still <br /> Floodlike may spread God’s victory on! <br /> And where are now those kings? Yon cave <br />Hides them in vain, or hides them only as their grave. <br /> <br /> Thus Israel, in the days of old <br /> Led by that prophet of the Lord, <br /> Like a devouring tempest rolled <br /> Destructive o’er each race abhorred; <br /> And all their war, how little worth <br /> To work ’gainst that prevailing sword <br /> In Israel’s front far flaming forth, <br /> For what are numbers to the Lord? <br /> That multitudinous array <br />Broke, melting as it rolled like morning mist away <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br />Charles Harpur<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/joshua-2/
