55. Melchizedek "Without father, without mother, without descent; having neither beginning of days, nor end of life." THRICE bless'd are they, who feel their loneliness; To whom nor voice of friends nor pleasant scene Brings aught on which the sadden'd heart can lean; Yea, the rich earth, garb'd in her daintiest dress Of light and joy, doth but the more oppress, Claiming responsive smiles and rapture high; Till, sick at heart, beyond the veil they fly, Seeking His Presence, who alone can bless. Such, in strange days, the weapons of Heaven's grace; When, passing o'er the high-born Hebrew line, He moulds the vessel of His vast design; Fatherless, homeless, reft of age and place, Sever'd from earth, and careless of its wreck, Born through long woe His rare Melchizedek. Corfu . January 5, 1833.