214
THE TIME THAT IS TO BE.
And the ferns, and giant mosses, noiseless sentinels did stand,
Looking o'er the tideless ocean, watching o'er the dreary land.
Looking o'er the tideless ocean, watching o'er the dreary land.
Ferns gave place to glowing olives, and clusters dropping wine,
Mosses changed to oaken tissues, and cleft to fragrant pine.
Mosses changed to oaken tissues, and cleft to fragrant pine.
Deft and noiseless fingers toiled, and wrought the great Creator's plan,
Through countless ages moulding earth for the abode of man.
Through countless ages moulding earth for the abode of man.
Till each imperial day was bound by sunset's crimson bars,
The purple columns of the night crowned with the shining stars.
The purple columns of the night crowned with the shining stars.
The ripe fruit seeks the sunlight through all the clustering leaves,
The earth is decked with golden maize, and costly yellow sheaves.
The earth is decked with golden maize, and costly yellow sheaves.
Countless silent centuries passed in fashioning good that doth appear,
Shall we weary and grow hopeless, waiting for the Golden Year?
Shall we weary and grow hopeless, waiting for the Golden Year?
Thy kingdom come, in which Thy will is done,
From myriad souls rises the yearning cry;
From myriad souls rises the yearning cry;
