Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/117

 1830-40.] OTWAY CURRY 101 And, marching in the star-light Above the sleeping dust, They freshen all the fountain-springs Of our undying trust. Around our every pathway In beauteous ranks they roam, To guide us to the dreamy rest Of our Eternal Home. THE BETTER LAND. Round me is the silent night — StaiTy heavens are in my sight— In the gloom of earth I stand, Longing; for the Better Land. Names of many an olden year Linger in my listening ear — Names of those that now, I ween, In the Better Land are seen. There shall many pilgrims meet — There shall many mourners greet Lost ones, parted long before, Angels of the Better Shore. There no sound of grieving word Shall be ever, ever heard — Sounds of joy and love alone In the Better Land are known. Voyager on the tide of time, Toiling for the Better Clime, Thither I am speeding fast, "Where the toils of time are past. Calmly leaving far behind Earth's dark memories, let me find Loving smile and greeting hand, Joyful in the Better Land. Savior ! let the falling tear Soon forever disappear : Guide me, weary and oppress'd, Safely to the Land of Rest. THE GOINGS FORTH OF GOD. God walketh on the earth. The purl- ing rills And mightier streams before him glance away, Rejoicing in his presence. On the plains. And spangled fields, and m the mazy vales. The Uving throngs of earth before Him fall With thankful hymns, receiving from liis hand Immortal life and gladness. Clothed upon With burning crowns the mountain-heralds stand, Proclaiming to the blossoming wilderness The brightness of his coming, and the power Of Him who ever hveth, all in all ! God walketh on the ocean. Brilliantly The glassy waters mirror back His smiles. The surging billows and the gamboling storms Come crouching to His feet. The hoary deep And the green, gorgeous islands offer up The tribute of their treasures — pearls, and shells. And crown-hke drapery of the dashing foam. And solemnly the tesselated halls. And coral domes of mansions in the depths. And gardens of the golden-sanded sea, Blend, with the anthems of the chiming waves. Their alleluias unto Him who rules The invisible armies of eternity. God journeyeth in the sky. From sun to sun, From star to star, the Uving lightnings flash ; And pealing thunders through all sj)ace proclaim The goings forth of Him whose potent arm Perpetuates existence, or destroys. From depths unknown, unsearchable, pro- found,