ODE TO HOPE 369
For thou canst soothe the weary hours
Of all who climb life's rugged hill, Canst strew its downward path with flowers :
Oh, cease not to deceive us still !
When first the new-waked Sun to birth
Emerged from chaos dark and wild, Thy beauty charmed the infant Earth ;
On thee the face of Nature smiled.
Thy visions cheer the enraptured eyes
Of hermit lone in desert den ; Inspired by thee, he can despise
The frowns of Fate, the smiles of men.
Toward thee, from self-inflicted pain,
Yon fast-worn Fakir lifts his eyes ; The pilgrim, sinking on the plain.
To thee looks up and joyful dies.
Thou canst the sailor's fears assuage ;
Through thee, while sinking in the wave, He can defy the tempest's rage,
And smile to meet a watery grave.
Thou, in the soldier's battle-hour.
When death most pitiless appears. Canst make him brave the fiery shower.
And yield his breath with shouts and cheers.
Thou even the grave with flowers canst deck, And warm the depths of Earth's cold womb.
When, smiling over Nature's wreck, Thou sittest singing on the tomb.
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