  The Early Dawn looked out upon the world And cried, "How beautiful a world to be!" The Dawn herself was beautiful to see; Her hair of glowing golden light uncurled About a face of clear serenity, Whereon rose-tinted smiles played daintily and free. "Aye, fair the earth," she said, "most fair—and yet How can I for one briefest space forget How dark a stain its loveliness doth mar; A stain, a scourge, the cruel curse of war! Even now I dimly see and faintly hear The clang of drum, the clash of sword and spear." And pale with pity, swift she shrank away, The Sun at noon looked down upon the world; From depths of vast ethereal blue looked down, And mused, "You far, fair Earth, sure we must crown Queen of the Universe. Great flags unfurled O'er her bright waters witness high renown Won by her creature, Man; aye, bring for Earth a crown! Yet stay—there riseth over Afric plains A cloud of battle-smoke; with crimson stains Her rivers run; her hills and meadows fair, Trampled by hostile hordes, lie waste and bare. And yonder, in the islands of the sea, A people struggle vainly to be free; And everywhere the banners of fair fame Trail in the dust of hatred, greed and shame. No crown for Earth; I mourn so bright a star Lost in the chaos of consuming war." And veiled in robe of woe, he went his way, Borne by the passing hours to close of day. The twilight lingered, and the Evening Star Looked back upon the world and whispered low: "These who have spoken surely could not know:— Earth is a great, pure pearl, and seems from far Set with fair homes, like gems; in amber glow, Or emerald green, or gold or roseate snow. But hush! In palace hall a bitter cry; A mangled hero is borne in to die; And in yon lowly cot, a widow's moan;— A mother's heart-break o'er her only son. Alas! 'tis true. Earth's battle-fields destroy And sad the Star of Evening sank from sight, While Earth lay shrouded in the gloom of night. But from afar—beyond the Morning's birth, Beyond the depths whence Sun looked down on earth, Beyond the dreamy distance of the Star,— A voice proclaimed: "They shall no more learn war." |
|
