Flowing swift and dark and wide.

'Twas named the river of Despair,—

And many a wreck was floating there!

The urchins paused, with faces grave,

Debating how to cross the wave,

When lo! the curtain of the storm

Was severed, and the rainbow's form

Stood against the parting cloud—

Emblem of peace on trouble's shroud!

Hope pointed to the signal flying,