St. Paul at Melita
“And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat.”
Secure in his prophetic strength,
The water peril o’er,
The many-gifted man at length
Stepp’d on the promised shore.
He trod the shore; but not to rest,
Nor wait till Angels came;
Lo! humblest pains the Saint attest,
The firebrands and the flame.
But, when he felt the viper’s smart,
Then instant aid was given;
Christian! hence learn to do thy part,
And leave the rest to Heaven.
Messina. February 8, 1833.