Part 5 — A PRAYER FOR THE PAST.
Reading edition
Now far from my old northern land, I live where gentle winters pass; Where green seas lave a wealthy strand, And unsown is the grass;
Where gorgeous sunsets claim the scope Of gazing heaven to spread their show, Hang scarlet clouds in the topmost cope, With fringes flaming low;
With one beside me in whose eyes Once more old Nature finds a home; There treasures up her changeful skies, Her phosphorescent foam.
O'er a new joy this day we bend, Soft power from heaven our souls to lift; A wondering wonder thou dost lend With loan outpassing gift—
A little child. She sees the sun— Once more incarnates thy old law: One born of two, two born in one, Shall into one three draw.
But is there no day creeping on Which I should tremble to renew? I thank thee, Lord, for what is gone— Thine is the future too!
And are we not at home in Thee, And all this world a visioned show, That, knowing what Abroad is, we What Home is too may know?