Naaman

I

Before Elisha’s gate
The Syrian leper stood;
But could not brook to wait⁠—
He deem’d himself too good:
He thought the prophet would attend,
And not to him a message send.

II

“Have I this journey come,
And will he not be seen?
I were as well at home
Would washing make me clean;
Why must I wash in Jordan’s flood?
Damascus’ rivers are as good.”

III

Thus, by his foolish pride,
He almost miss’d a cure;
Howe’er at length he tried,
And found the method sure:
Soon as the pride was brought to yield
The leprosy was quickly heal’d.

IV

Leprous and proud as he,
To Jesus thus I came,
From sin to set me free,
When first I heard his fame:
Surely, thought I, my pompous train
Of vows and tears will notice gain.

V

My heart devised the way
Which I supposed he’d take;
And when I found delay,
Was ready to go back:
Had he some painful task enjoin’d,
I to performance seem’d inclined.

VI

When by his word he spake,
“That fountain open’d see;
’Twas open’d for thy sake⁠—
“Go wash, and thou art free;”
Oh! how did my proud heart gainsay⁠—
I fear’d to trust his simple way.

VII

At length I trial made,
When I had much endured;
The message I obey’d⁠—
I wash’d, and I was cured.
Sinners, this healing fountain try,
Which cleansed a wretch so vile as I.