A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations / Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.

by Unknown

CALMNESS.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.—Jonah, i. 11, 12, 15.

As they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish! Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.—Luke, viii. 23, 24.

Be calm in arguing—for fierceness makes

Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

Why should I feel another man’s mistakes,

More than his sicknesses or poverty?

In love I should, but anger is not love,

Nor wisdom neither: therefore gently move.

Calmness is great advantage—he that lets

Another chafe, may warm him at his fire,

Mark all his wanderings, and enjoy his frets,

As cunning fencers suffer heat to tire.

Truth dwells not in the clouds: the bow that’s there

Doth often aim at, never hit the sphere.

Herbert.

There is a calm the poor in spirit know,

That softens sorrow, and that sweetens woe;

There is a peace that dwells within the breast,

When all without is stormy and distrest;

There is a light that gilds the darkest hour,

When dangers thicken, and when tempests lower;

That calm is faith, and hope and love is given;

That peace remains when all beside is riven,

That light shines down to man direct from heaven.

James Edmeston.

The roaring tumult of the billowed sea

Awakes him not: high on the crested surge,

Now heaved, his locks flowed streaming to the blast:

And now descending, ’tween the sheltering waves,

The falling tresses veil the face divine:

Meek through that veil, a momentary gleam,

Benignant shines; he dreams that he beholds

The opening eyes,—that hopeless long had rolled

In darkness,—look around bedimmed with tears

Of joy; but suddenly the voice of fear

Dispelled the happy vision. Awful he rose,

Rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea,

“Peace, be thou still!” and straight there was a calm.

With terror-mingled gladness in their looks,

The mariners exclaim—“What man is this,

That even the wind and sea obey his voice?”

Grahame.

Earth has not anything to show more fair!

Dull would he be of soul who could pass by

A sight so touching in its majesty!

This city now doth like a garment wear

The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,

Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie

Open unto the fields and to the sky—

All bright and glittering in the smokeless air,

Never did sun more beautifully steep

In his first splendour valley, rock, or hill;

Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!

The river glideth at its own sweet will;

Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;

And all that mighty heart is lying still.

Wordsworth.

Like a frail bark upon an angry sea

Is man, o’erburdened with a weight of sin;

Tossed to and fro, and like to perish, he

Seeks how he best may ’scape, and safety win:

What trembling Jonah is it hides within,

That from the Lord would vainly strive to flee?

Seek till ye find him, straight the quest begin!

And cast him forth that ye may lightened be.

Then with a prayer approach the throne of grace,

The Saviour’s with thee, though he seems to sleep;

Have ye but faith, and wait a little space,

He will arise, and say unto the deep—

“Be still!” The waves will sink, like your alarm,

O’er troubled heart and soul will come a mighty calm.

Egone.