LXVII + 

Isaac + 

Many the guileless years the Patriarch spent, + 

Bless’d in the wife a father’s foresight chose; + 

Many the prayers and gracious deeds, which rose + 

Daily thank-offerings from his pilgrim tent. + 

Yet these, though written in the heavens, are rent + 

From out truth’s lower roll, which sternly shows + 

But one sad trespass at his history’s close, + 

Father’s, son’s, mother’s, and its punishment. + 

Not in their brightness, but their earthly stains + 

Are the true seed vouchsafed to earthly eyes. + 

Sin can read sin, but dimly scans high grace, + 

So we move heavenward with averted face, + 

Scared into faith by warning of sin’s pains; + 

And Saints are lower’d, that the world may rise. + 