ARGUMENT. Now there is at Jerusalem, by the sheep-market, a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda (HOUSE OF MERCY), having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water: For an Angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first, after the troubling of the water, stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. St. John, chap. 5. THE INFIRMARY. CANTO I. THE PLEASURES OF BENEVOLENCE. ANGEL of health! who, from thy blest abode, And, mingling with its sacred waters, blend The balm of life, sufficient for a while Fresh youth through Palsy's quivering nerves to send, To light the cheek of Misery with a smile, And of his prostrate prey e'en Death himself beguile : Ah, what delight for one whose gentle heart, To bear that high commission to impart Joy to the groaning millions here below: To ease the inward agonizing throe, And from the long-worn, tear-drench'd pillow, raise The deep-despairing wretch, and bid to know The sweet return of Health's delightful days; And change the groans of anguish into shouts of praise! Such thy terrestrial labours' lov'd account, Whether thou watchest o'er its living fount, Yet surely those who emulate thy fame In acts of charity and mercy shown To misery here, when blest above, shall claim Thee for their captain; round th' eternal throne, Among th' angelic hosts, the first in glory known. SPIRIT of love divine! restoring all That Eden's blissful bowers could e'er afford To charm the soul of first-created man; And raising up his faded fallen frame To more than Eden's hopes, and Eden's joys: All hail triumphant MERCY! glorious word, Unknown till wretched man had learn'd to drink And drain the bitter of mortal woe, cup And feel himself undone ! Till that sad hour He now by nature born to misery, Cradled in Sorrow's lap and nursed in tears, Was little less than angel. Blest he stood |