A loftier theme may swell the exulting strain!
The lord of nations spoke,—and forth were brought
The spoils of Salem’s devastated fane.
Thrice-holy vessels!—pure from earthly stain,
And set apart, and sanctified to Him
Who deign’d within the oracle to reign,
Reveal’d yet shadow’d; making noonday dim,
To that most glorious cloud between the cherubim.
They came, and louder peal’d the voice of song,
And pride flash’d brighter from the kindling eye;