The Tamed Lion

I

A lion, though by nature wild,
  The art of man can tame;
lie stands before his keeper mild
  And gentle as a lamb.

II

He watches, with submissive eye,
  The hand that gives him food,
As if he meant to testify
  A sense of gratitude.

III

But man himself, who thus subdues
  The fiercest beasts of prey,
A nature more unfeeling shows
  And far more fierce than they.

IV

Though by the Lord preserved and fed,
  He proves rebellious still;
And while he eats his Maker’s bread
  Resists his holy will.

V

Alike in vain, of grace that saves,
  Or threat’ning law, he hears;
The savage scorns, blasphemes, and raves,
  But neither loves nor fears.

VI

O Saviour! how thy wondrous power
  By angels is proclaim’d!
When in thine own appointed hour
  They see this lion tamed!

VII

The love thy bleeding cross displays
  The hardest heart subdues!
Here furious lions, while they gaze,
  Their rage and fierceness lose.

VIII

Yet we are but renew’d in part,
  The lion still remains;
Lord, drive him wholly from my heart,
  Or keep him fast in chains.