Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40 to the end
Is epic, after the Semitic way;
All one trend,
Israel dreaming how it may shun
Exile and see repeated
Its past glory.
Prophets, of Isaiahs a council,
Advise not to pronounce ill
On Babylonian chains,
But to shed them and endure the pains
Of desert travel home to rebuilt Zion.
At journey's termination,
They find the story
Runs as before; nor do they set eye on
The bright day.
Their march afoot completed,
They fare far
And farther on in vision;
When to them appears
A Servant in affliction,
Who guides them to decision
And conviction—
The bright day of returning
For which they're yearning,
Their ultimate of years,
Is present service to God
Where they are.
