The Offering Of The New Law, The One Oblation Once Offered

(Lyra Eucharistica, 1863.)     Once I thought to sit so high     In the Palace of the sky;     Now, I thank God for His Grace,     If I may fill the lowest place.     Once I thought to scale so soon     Heights above the changing moon;     Now, I thank God for delay -     To-day, it yet is called to-day.     While I stumble, halt and blind,     Lo! He waiteth to be kind;     Bless me soon, or bless me slow,     Except He bless, I let not go.     Once for earth I laid my plan,     Once I leaned on strength of man,     When my hope was swept aside,     I stayed my broken heart on pride:     Broken reed hath pierced my hand;     Fell my house I built on sand;     Roofless, wounded, maimed by sin,     Fightings without and fears within:     Yet, a tree, He feeds my root;     Yet, a branch, He prunes for fruit;     Yet, a sheep, these eves and morns,     He seeks for me among the thorns.     With Thine Image stamped of old,     Find Thy coin more choice than gold;     Known to Thee by name, recall     To Thee Thy home-sick prodigal.     Sacrifice and Offering     None there is that I can bring,     None, save what is Thine alone:     I bring Thee, Lord, but of Thine Own -     Broken Body, Blood Outpoured,     These I bring, my God, my Lord;     Wine of Life, and Living Bread,     With these for me Thy Board is spread.