I
heard the dreary midnight hour
Toll
slowly from the old church tower;
And,
from my chamber window sill
I
peered out through the dark and still.
Old
scenes arose which had for years
Been
cast aside by smiles and tears.
I
pictured ‘mong the sombre spires
The
hearts of men, and their desires.
Some
towered high, beyond my gaze,
Whose
points were lost far in the haze;
But
some were shorted, broad and full,
And
to mine eyes were visible.
Against
me blew a midnight gust,
As
from a cold heart, and unjust.
Then,
leaning outward, farther still,
I
sought to look beyond the hill;
For,
over there, methought I’d see
A
throng of sweet humanity.
Then,
wearied eyelids fain would close,
And
o’er I sank in calm repose.
‘Twas
then I saw beyond the gloom,
Beyond
the city and the tomb,
A
stretch of valley, rich and green,
With
streets that gave a golden sheen.
And
angels marched to martial air,
While
ranks of men bowed down in prayer.
“United
Hearts”, the chorus sang,
And
through the throng its echo rang.
Then
tap of drum and bugle note,
And
“Peace” burst forth from every throat.
Then,
rising, did the mighty train
Move
on, and chant a Heavenly strain.
And,
passing through the sacred town,
They
journeyed to the mountain’s crown;
And,
kneeling there, they kissed the feet,
Of
Him, who graced the Mercy Seat.
Then
I awoke, and sweet the hour
Of
“one” rang from the old church tower.
My
soul was changed – “United Hearts”
And
“Peace” had nobly done their parts.
United
was my heart with those
Whom
I heard sing in my repose.
And
nightly now before I lie
I
gaze upon the steepled sky;
But
nevermore I class the spires
With
human hearts and their desires.
March
25, ‘91
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