Poems (Gifford)/"Under a Cloud"
"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.
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.
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.
Clearer shining ere long resulteth, 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.
Failure cometh, and desolation, 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!
Hail the glorious sun, unfailing, Spite of tempests and earth-born clouds!Welcome, too, to the dismal veiling That oft from us its splendour shrouds!
Welcome hours of supremest gladness! Welcome discipline stern and rude!Welcome chastening hours of sadness! All together shall work for good.
Till no longer the clouds are needed, Till all harvests are safely stored,Till yon sun shall be superseded By the majesty of the Lord.