C. M.
The repenting prodigal. Luke 15:13,etc.
Behold the wretch whose lust and wine
Had wasted his estate,
He begs a share among the swine,
To taste the husks they eat!
|I die with hunger here,| he cries,
|I starve in foreign lands;
My father's house has large supplies
And bounteous are his hands.
|I'll go, and with a mournful tongue
Fall down before his face,-
Father, I've done thy justice wrong,
Nor can deserve thy grace.|
He said, and hastened to his home,
To seek his father's love;
The father saw the rebel come,
And all his bowels move.
He ran, and fell upon his neck,
Embraced and kissed his son;
The rebel's heart with sorrow brake
For follies he had done.
|Take off his clothes of shame and sin,|
The father gives command,
|Dress him in garments white and clean,
With rings adorn his hand.
|A day of feasting I ordain,
Let mirth and joy abound;
My son was dead, and lives again,
Was lost, and now is found.|