Page:Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/90

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82
HYMN OF FUTILITY



Lord, we have heard . . . Loud our Hosannas rang!
    Voices of glad thanksgiving did we lift.
From out the fullness of our hearts we sang
    Sweet hymns of praise for this Thy gracious gift.
Here, in one corner of the land, we found
    A goodly garden where abundant food
We won, with scanty labour, from the ground.
    Here did we rest. And, Lord, we found it good!

Great cities have we builded here, O Lord;
    And corn and kine full plenty for our need
We have; and doth the wondrous land afford
    Treasure beyond the wildest dreams of greed.
Even this tiny portion of Thy gift,
    One corner of our mighty continent,
Doth please us well. A voice in prayer we lift:—
    "Lord, give us peace! For we are well content.

Lord, give us peace; for Thou has sent a sign:
    Smoke of a raider's ships athwart the sky!
Nay, suffer us to hold this gift of Thine!
    The burden, Lord! The burden—by and by!
The sun is hot, Lord, and the way is long!
    'Tis pleasant in this corner Thou hast blest.
Leave us to tarry here with wine and song.
    Our little corner. Lord! Guard Thou the rest!