Eliza Crossing the River

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h2>ELIZA CROSSING THE RIVER</h2> <div class='poem'> From her resting-place by the trader chased,<br/> Through the winter evening cold,<br/> Eliza came with her boy at last,<br/> Where a broad deep river rolled.<br/> <br/> Great blocks of the floating ice were there,<br/> And the water's roar was wild,<br/> But the cruel trader's step was near,<br/> Who would take her only child.<br/> <br/> Poor Harry clung around her neck,<br/> But a word he could not say,<br/> For his very heart was faint with fear,<br/> And with flying all that day.<br/> <br/> Her arms about the boy grew tight,<br/> With a loving clasp, and brave;<br/> "Hold fast! Hold fast, now, Harry dear,<br/> And it may be God will save."<br/> <br/> From the river's bank to the floating ice<br/> She took a sudden bound,<br/> And the great block swayed beneath her feet<br/> With a dull and heavy sound.<br/> <br/> So over the roaring rushing flood,<br/> From block to block she sprang,<br/> And ever her cry for God's good help<br/> Above the waters rang.<br/> <br/> And God did hear that mother's cry,<br/> For never an ice-block sank;<br/> While the cruel trader and his men<br/> Stood wondering on the bank.<br/> <br/> A good man saw on the farther side,<br/> And gave her his helping hand;<br/> So poor Eliza, with her boy,<br/> Stood safe upon the land.<br/> <br/> A blessing on that good man's arm,<br/> On his house, and field, and store;<br/> May he never want a friendly hand<br/> To help him to the shore!<br/> <br/> A blessing on all that make such haste,<br/> Whatever their hands can do!<br/> For they that succour the sore distressed,<br/> Our Lord will help them too.<br/></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />