REBUKE
THE tortured river-banks, the toiling piers—
I walked thereby as older grew the day,
And sick with sorry clamor in mine ears,
Heart-weary turned my steps and went my way.
I walked thereby as older grew the day,
And sick with sorry clamor in mine ears,
Heart-weary turned my steps and went my way.
"O place full-voiced of wretchedness!" I cried.
(The sun had set, the dusk was closing in)
"O place where laboring Life goes heavy-eyed,
Compound of grime and discord, strife and sin!"
(The sun had set, the dusk was closing in)
"O place where laboring Life goes heavy-eyed,
Compound of grime and discord, strife and sin!"
I turned me back, and lo, a miracle!
For misty violet lay along the land.
The shining river in mysterious spell
(Divinely touched by some transmuting hand)
For misty violet lay along the land.
The shining river in mysterious spell
(Divinely touched by some transmuting hand)
A path of wonder was, and on it stirred,
(Black-shaped, and jeweled with a crimson spark)
A ship that slowly moved; and, faintly heard,
A cheery song rose blithely to the dark.
(Black-shaped, and jeweled with a crimson spark)
A ship that slowly moved; and, faintly heard,
A cheery song rose blithely to the dark.