Thou waiting one, doth no strange thrill Thy quickening veins with wonder fill? Have the far-seeing, prescient years No presage for thy listening ears?
Life hath its phases manifold, Yet still the new repeats the old; There is no truer truth than this: What was, is still the thing that is.
Therefore we know that thou wilt hear Childhood’s light laughter ringing clear; The flow of song, the breath of prayer, Whisper of love, and sigh of care.
Thou wilt see youth go forth to gauge His being’s lofty heritage, And manhood in the autumn eves Come homeward laden with his sheaves.
O life and death, O joy and woe, In mingling streams your tides shall flow, While sun and storm alike fulfil The mandates of the Eternal Will!
Now bring the torch and light the fire, Let the swift flames leap high and higher, Let the red radiance stream afar, Dearer than glow of moon or star!
Burn, burn, O fire, burn still and clear, And fill the house with warmth and cheer! Soar, soar, O fire, so brave, so bright, And souls shall soar to share thy flight!
MIDNIGHT CHIMES
Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Down yon lonely height Hear the joyous summons pealing Through the starry night. Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Ring the Christmas bells; From the church-tower on the hill Clear the music swells.
Far and near the listening mountains Bend to catch the strain, Dome, and peak, and shadowy fastness Join the glad refrain,— Noel! Noel! All the pine-trees Feel a subtile thrill, And the hemlock groves, responsive, Whisper and are still.