Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HUMANITY, by GOTTFRIED KINKEL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HUMANITY, by                    
First Line: Unnumbered years the hoary earth
Last Line: The jewel of humanity.
Subject(s): Hearts; Humanity; Love


UNNUMBERED years the hoary earth
Her countless nations hath enrolled,
And holocausts to gods hath raised
From blood-red altars manifold.

And years to come the raptured saint
To God shall other altars rear,
And sorrow still shall come and go,
And joy the human heart shall cheer.

It blinds me not! With love content,
The ceaseless strife of Time I see;
While changing empires rise and fall,
Still onward moves Humanity.

No day hath ever dawned, I know,
That gladdened not one lonely breast;
Nor Spring hath followed Winter drear
But with a song the world it blessed.

From out the ruddy wine, I know,
The vast, creative thoughts arise;
And in a woman's loving kiss
A noble fount of vigor lies.

Where'er we go, the heavens, I know,
They frown with rage, or smile with joy;
In every zone the stars serene
Some loving eye with faith employ.

So day by day, and night by night,
One thought doth every heart possess;
Where'er on earth mine eyes are turned,
A brother's loyal hand I press.

A link of that great chain which binds
The future to the past am I;
From out the struggling surge I snatch
The jewel of Humanity.





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