Pleaded when the lips were dumb.

One who had that morning seen him,

Seeking from their gaze to hide,

Tried from heavy doom to screen him;

But his reasons were denied.

He of other days was thinking,—

Happy days, and still so near!—

When that brother, shamed and shrinking,

Had to all their souls been dear.

Others tried their hearts to harden,

Felt their pity to be sin;

Silent, prayed the Lord to pardon

Kinder thoughts that rose within.

Some proposed and some objected,

While, the long debate to end,

One old Father they expected,

And on him would all depend.

He—their honoured, best adviser—

Dwelt in desert cave retired;

Older than the rest, and wiser:

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