Most calm, severe, is heaven’s strife,
And to reveal God’s steps with man
He put the very flame of life
Within the hand of Abraham.
Face set to resurrection-hope,
With bonds of faith they both were bound,
And Isaac bore the cordwood up,
And Isaac laid it down.
The sun had set, the air was still
As one who loved the Father’s will,
A three-year’s ram, an untorn dove,
Sealed stroke, but not of power … of love.