HERE the warm sunshine fills Like wine of gods the deepening, cupshaped dells, Embossed with marvellous flowers; the happy rills Roam through the autumnal fields whose rich increase Of gathered grain smiles under heavens of peace; While many a bird-song swells From glades of neighboring woodlands, cool and fair, -- Content and peace are @3here@1. There the wild battle's wrath Thunders from castled height to storied plain, Ploughs with red lightning-bolts its terrible path, And sows the abhorrent seeds of blood and death, Blown far on Desolation's tameless breath, While for autumnal grain Time reaps the harvest of a bleak despair, -- God's curse consumes them @3there@1. Here jovial children play Beneath the latest vine-leaves; innocent kings, And blissful queens, -- on them the matron Day, Like a sweet mother drops her kisses light; The every clouds some secret joy makes bright, And round us clings and clings, With Ariel arms, the season's influence rare, -- Heaven's heart beats near us @3here@1. There love bemoans its lost, Countless as seaside sands; all joys of life Rest locked and stirless in the blood-red frost; Ye drums, roll out, shrill clarions, peal your parts! Ye cannot drown the wail of broken hearts, Nor still that spiritual strife Which thrills through Victory's voice its death-notes drear, -- Dear Christ, soothe, save them @3there@1. |