Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/107

 For the Easter season was drawing nigh, And I was perusing "Life;" My soul was nursing an inward cry; And I hated the oaths and strife—

The war of words on the blessing of peace, And taking God's name in vain; From the turmoil I craved a quick release, From the hellish noise on the train;

When suddenly came two lovely tots, With the father a-near their side; Then lo, there ceased the fiery shots; The children had turned the tide.

Like a sun-burst bright on a stormy morn, Like flowers in the valley of death, The children advanced, and joy was born, With the sweetness of Heaven's breath.

They turned and climbed to the lower berth, Just over the passage from mine; And there my ears caught the wisdom of earth, And the faith from Jehovah's shrine:

"Now I lay me down to sleep;   I pray the Lord my soul to keep."

My mind went back to my earliest days, At the side of my mother's knee; My hungry soul sang a fervent praise, And my heart was happy and free.

I dreamed of the damnable wars of men, Of the havoc that Death has made; Of a Prince who died and arose again, With power each grave to invade.

And dreaming I caught a holier note, No melody born of the sod; And I blest the old saint who heard and wrote, "Of such is the kingdom of God."

And children I heard, around the throne, Formed a vast and caroling throng, With the glorious Prince still leading his own, All singing their Easter song.

The Tots that Turned the Tide. Photo by the Author.