H. Hastings Weld :: The Queen of Sheba

THE QUEEN of SHEBA

REV. H. HASTINGS WELD

A righteous sceptre in Jerusalem
Reigned over Israel; and the arts of peace
In honour higher placed king David's son,
Than all the father's fierce and weary wars.
Plenty and comfort bless'd the labouring poor,
And splendour graced the noble and the wise.
Silver was nothing counted; massive gold
Adorned the temple and the royal board;
And richly laden ships from distant shores
Swelled the king's tribute, and the people's wealth.
Worthier than gold, than jewels far more rare,
Was the king's wisdom; all the people bowed
Before the mighty mind of Solomon,
For God was with him.

In the host

Of wondering travellers, with votive gifts-
Camels spice‐laden, gems and stores of gold,-
Came from her kingdom in the farther South
The Queen of Sheba; and a gorgeous train,
In number vast, and in appointments grand,
Waited upon her state. She came to test
The truth of all the wonders she had heard,

Of Israel's monarch, in her distant land;-
To prove his wisdom, and to see his power:
For, while her ears had heard the wondrous tale,
Her heart had doubted; and her queenly pride
Revolted at a greater fame than hers.

She saw his wisdom, and his majesty-
And the proud spirit of the mighty Queen
Fainted within her. Humbled then, she owned
Her former doubtings-frankly she confessed
Her present faith. The half, she freely said,
Had not been told her; and his wisdom far
Exceeded all the fame that she had heard.

Behold a greater here than Solomon!
Thine whom the Psalmist‐king prophetic saw
Alway before his face. While David sang
His coming who should sit upon his throne-
"Filled with His glory be the earth!" he cried-
"Blessed for ever be his glorious name!"

In judgment shall the Queen of Sheba rise
Against the faithless, upon whom the light
In vain has fallen in darkness. Oh, like hers,
Before His name might our proud spirits sink-
Our tongues confess the half has not been told-
Our pride rebuked, embrace His righteousness!