THE light of the Indian Summer Fell soft on bright Broadway, Where the ebb and flow of commerce Throbbed swift and strong all day; And men with anxious thoughts oppressed Passed on the crowded way. In the surging throngs were people With weary, care-dimmed eyes, Who had half-forgotten the story Of a heavenly Paradise,— And, bent with earthly burdens, walked Unconscious of the skies: When clear from the old church steeple A message, silver-sweet, Like a chorus of angel music, Thrilled all the busy street; And "Peace on Earth," the chiming bells Seemed softly to repeat. They chimed the tune of Martyrs, And the air of wild Dundee, And quaint Balerma's measure, And Zephyr's harmony; Then floated o'er that listening throng "Nearer, my God, to Thee!" O folding love of heaven, Calm patience of our God, That waits to soothe our sorrows And lift our heaviest load,— And gives us melodies of home, To cheer us on the road. Above the money-changers, Above the toil and strife Of all this fretting eagerness, With which the world is rife,— Our Father keeps for us in store, An everlasting life! Ah! music softly pealing Through that sun-sifted air, Your strains brought gifts of healing To many a heart-ache there; And men a moment stopped to praise, Who had no time for prayer. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FROST-WORK by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH BOOKS ET VERITAS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE UNKNOWN DEAD by LEVI BISHOP |