Vox Dei

The beauteous pyramid of harmless flame Spelled G O D for Moses; but the thundered law Was needed for the wild, unruly crowd.

The awful test of swift-consuming fire Alone shewed Baal false to Baal’s friends; The “still, small voice” touched lone Elijah’s heart.

So God speaks variously to various men: To some in nature’s sternest parables; To others, in the breath that woos the flowers, Until they blush and pale, and blush again.

To these the Decalogue were just as true If uttered on a summer Sabbath-day In village church—to those there is no God, Till fiery rain has scarred the face of earth.