the earth is upheaved at his presence, yea, the world, and all
that dwell therein. Who can stand before his indignation? and who can
abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like
fire, and the rocks are broken asunder by him. The Lord is good, a
strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that put their
trust in him. But with an overrunning flood he will make a full end of
the place thereof, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. What do
ye imagine against the Lord? he will make a full end: affliction shall
not rise up the second time. For though they be like tangled thorns,
and be drenched as it were in their drink, they shall be devoured
utterly as dry stubble. There is one gone forth out of thee, that
imagineth evil against the Lord, that counselleth wickedness.

Thus saith the Lord: Though they be in full strength, and likewise
many, even so shall they be cut down, and he shall pass away.

Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.

And now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds
in sunder.

And the Lord hath given commandment concerning thee, that no more of
thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the
graven image and the molten image; I will make thy grave; for thou art
vile.

{387}

Behold, upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,

That publisheth peace!

II

THE DOOM OF NINEVEH

(In describing the doom of Nineveh, the writer draws one of the most
vivid pictures of war that was ever written.)

The Hammer is come up to thy face!
Hold the rampart! Keep watch on the way!
Brace the loins! Pull thyself firmly together!
The shields of the heroes are red,
The warriors are in scarlet;
Like fire is the shining of his chariots in the day of his muster,
And the horsemen are prancing.
Through the markets rage chariots,
They tear across the squares;
The look of them is like torches,
Like lightnings they dart to and fro.
And now they flee. "Stand, stand!" but there is none to rally.
Plunder silver, plunder gold!
Infinite treasures, mass of all precious things!
Void and devoid and desolate is she.
Melting hearts and shaking knees,
And anguish in all loins,
And nothing but faces full of black fear. {388}
Where is the Lion's den,
And the young lion's feeding ground?
Whither has the Lion retreated,
The whelps of the Lion with none to make afraid