SURPRISES
I.
O Earth, that had so long in darkness lain, Waiting and listening for the Voice that cried, “Let there be light!”—on thy first eventide What woe, what fear, wrung thy dumb soul with pain! In darkling space down dropt the red sun, slain, With all his banners drooping. Far and wide Spread desolation’s vast and blackening tide. How couldst thou know that day would dawn again? But the long hours wore on, till lo! pale gleams Of faint, far glory lit the eastern skies, Broadening and reddening till the sun’s full beams Broke in clear, golden splendor on thine eyes. Darkness and brooding anguish were but dreams, Lost in a trembling wonder of surprise!
II.
Even so, O Life, all tremulous with woe, Thou too didst cower when, without sound or jar, From the high zenith sinking fast and far, Thy sun went out of heaven! How couldst thou know In that dark hour, that never tide could flow So ebon-black, nor ever mountain-bar Breast night so deep, without or moon or star, But that the morning yet again must glow? God never leaves thee in relentless dark. Slowly the dawn on unbelieving eyes Breaketh at last. Day brightens—and, oh hark! A flood of bird-song from the tender skies! From storm and darkness thou hast found an ark, Shut in with this great marvel of surprise!
C. H. R.
(LOST OFF HAI-MUN IN THE CHINA SEA)
In what wide Wonderland, or near, or far, Press on to-day thy swift adventurous feet— Thou who wert wont the Orient skies to greet With song and laughter, and to climb the bar Of mountain ranges where the Cloud-gods are, With brave, glad steps, as eager and as fleet As a young lover’s, who, on errand sweet, Seeks the one face that is his guiding star? The far blue seas engulfed thee, oh! my brother, But could not quench thy spirit’s lofty fire, Nor daunt the soul that knew not how to quail. Earth-quest thou didst but barter for another, Where Alps on Alps before thee still aspire, And where, in God’s name, thou shalt yet prevail!
A NEW BEATITUDE
L. G. W.
“A new beatitude I write for thee, ‘Blessed are they who are not sure of things,’ Nor strive to mount on feeble, finite wings To heights where God’s strong angels, soaring free, Halt and are silent.” Ah, the mystery! To-day, O friend, beyond earth’s reckonings Of time and space, beyond its jars and stings, Thou enterest where the eternal secrets be! Ay, thou art sure to-day! No more the bars Of earth’s poor limitations hold thee back, Setting their bounds to thine advancing feet. Soar, lofty soul, beyond the farthest stars, Where hope nor yearning e’er shall suffer lack, Nor knowledge fail to any that entreat!