32
"UNDER A CLOUD."
Awed our spirits, our tones are bated,
As we think of a tempest nigh;
Clouds unnumbered have congregated,
Blotting from us the azure sky.
As we think of a tempest nigh;
Clouds unnumbered have congregated,
Blotting from us the azure sky.
Yet we welcome the noontide shading,
Parched the earth and it longs for rain;
Roads are dusty, and flowers are fading,
Drought is threatened, and men complain.
Parched the earth and it longs for rain;
Roads are dusty, and flowers are fading,
Drought is threatened, and men complain.
Still more darkly the storm-cloud thickens,
Earth with sky in a deep gloom blends,
Roars the thunder, the lightning quickens,
Down with fury the rain descends.
Earth with sky in a deep gloom blends,
Roars the thunder, the lightning quickens,
Down with fury the rain descends.
Clearer shining ere long resulteth,
Earth awakes from its languid sloth,
Nature now in new hope exulteth,
Drooping blossoms resume their growth.
Earth awakes from its languid sloth,
Nature now in new hope exulteth,
Drooping blossoms resume their growth.
Thus we need that life's clouds steal o'er us,
So come irksomeness, doubt and dread;
Darkly loometh the path before us,
Strife is round us, and gloom o'erhead.
So come irksomeness, doubt and dread;
Darkly loometh the path before us,
Strife is round us, and gloom o'erhead.
Failure cometh, and desolation,
Pain, disaster, oppressive care,
Till a climax of tribulation
Brings the utmost that we can bear.
Pain, disaster, oppressive care,
Till a climax of tribulation
Brings the utmost that we can bear.
Lo! it passes; and fruit is yielded,
As the furnace gives back the gold.
Oh, the power that the trial wielded!
Oh, the ending in joy untold!
As the furnace gives back the gold.
Oh, the power that the trial wielded!
Oh, the ending in joy untold!
