94
A SHEAF GLEANED
But half awake—thrusts out a foot that tries
To find the Chinese slipper ere she rise.
Praise be to God! After the sullen night
Always arrives the day, the welcome light
Eternal. On the mount wave heath and broom,
Nature superb and tranquil dons her bloom,
The light awakes the brood, the young ones cry,
The cottage lifts its smoke-wreath to the sky,
Arrows of gold their way through forests force;
Sooner than stop the sun upon its course,
One might reform the mean ignoble ways
Of those that rule us in these evil days,
To honour turn, to public good incline,
The soul of minister and base divine,
And mighty Cæsar reeling from his wine.
