JOY! the lost one is restored! Sunshine comes to hearth and board. From the far-off countries old Of the diamond and red gold; From the dusky archer-bands, Roamers of the fiery sands; From the desert winds, whose breath Smites with sudden, silent death; He hath reached his home again, Where we sing In thy praise a fervent strain, God our King! Mightiest! unto Thee he turned When the noon-day fiercest burned: When the fountain-springs were far, And the sounds of Arab war Swelled upon the sultry blast, And the sandy columns past, Unto Thee he cried; and Thou, Merciful! didst hear his vow! Therefore unto Thee again Joy shall sing Many a sweet and thankful strain, God our King! Thou wert with him on the main, And the snowy mountain-chain, And the rivers dark and wide, Which through Indian forests glide: Thou didst guard him from the wrath Of the lion in his path, And the arrows on the breeze, And the dropping poison-trees. Therefore from our household train Oft shall spring Unto Thee a blessing strain, God our King! Thou to his lone, watching wife Hast brought back the light of life! Thou hast spared his loving child Home to greet him from the wild. Though the suns of Eastern skies On his cheek have set their dyes, Though long toils and sleepless cares On his brow have blanched the hairs, Yet the night of fear is flown -- He is living, and our own! Brethren! spread his festal board, Hang his mantle and his sword, With the armour, on the wall -- While this long, long silent hall Joyfully doth hear again Voice and string Swell to Thee the exulting strain, God our King! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON ENGLISH MONSIEUR by BEN JONSON FONTENOY, 1745: 1. BEFORE THE BATTLE: NIGHT by EMILY LAWLESS THE FINDING OF THE LYRE by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL ECCE IN DESERTO by HENRY AUGUSTIN BEERS DEMON by ALEXANDER (ALEKSANDR) ALEXANDROVICH BLOK EARLY WINTER by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON TO LADY B- W-, PRESENTING THE AUTHOR WITH A MOIETY OF A LOTTERY TICKET by JOHN BYROM |