 | In Russet & Silver |  |
18
THE SCHOOL OF FAITH
Long time across my path had lain
A far-off bar like gathering rain;
The sunshine beamed along my way,
But this drew nearer day by day.
A far-off bar like gathering rain;
The sunshine beamed along my way,
But this drew nearer day by day.
I walked amid a laughing throng,
I plucked the flowers, I sang my song;
But all the time my load of care,
My bar of threatening cloud, was there.
I plucked the flowers, I sang my song;
But all the time my load of care,
My bar of threatening cloud, was there.
Some day, I knew, that bar must break
In tempest, fatal for my sake;
And in my heart of hearts I laid
My secret, and was sore afraid.
In tempest, fatal for my sake;
And in my heart of hearts I laid
My secret, and was sore afraid.
And yet it caught me by surprise;
Loud thunders pealed across the skies;
Ere I had time for craven fear
The hour had struck. The end was near.
Loud thunders pealed across the skies;
Ere I had time for craven fear
The hour had struck. The end was near.
19
With lips and lids set hard together
I sank upon the springy heather;
I said farewell to pleasant things,
And waited for the angel's wings.
I sank upon the springy heather;
I said farewell to pleasant things,
And waited for the angel's wings.
When, oh! the marvel! through the rain
Came odours exquisite as pain;
A softer warmth, like lovers' breath,
Danced on my cheek instead of Death.
Came odours exquisite as pain;
A softer warmth, like lovers' breath,
Danced on my cheek instead of Death.
The birds around me sang in choirs;
My eyes unclosed to clearer fires;
The storm was only sent to purge
Of cloud my sky from verge to verge!
My eyes unclosed to clearer fires;
The storm was only sent to purge
Of cloud my sky from verge to verge!
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