Page:Complete Poetical Works of John Greenleaf Whittier (1895).djvu/378

346   :When was ever His right hand
 * Over any time or land

Stretched as now beneath the sun?


 * How they pale,
 * Ancient myth and song and tale,

In this wonder of our days,
 * When the cruel rod of war
 * Blossoms white with righteous law,

And the wrath of man is praise!


 * Blotted out!
 * All within and all about

Shall a fresher life begin;
 * Freer breathe the universe
 * As it rolls its heavy curse

On the dead and buried sin!


 * It is done!
 * In the circuit of the sun

Shall the sound thereof go forth.
 * It shall bid the sad rejoice,
 * It shall give the dumb a voice,

It shall belt with joy the earth!


 * Ring and swing,
 * Bells of joy! On morning’s wing

Send the song of praise abroad!
 * With a sound of broken chains
 * Tell the nations that He reigns,

Who alone is Lord and God!

God for rest, where none molest,
 * And none can make afraid;

For Peace that sits as Plenty’s guest
 * Beneath the homestead shade!