 | At Sunset |  |
125
A WAGE-EARNER
They were twining wreaths of laurel
For many an honored head,
And spreading cloth of crimson
For princely feet to tread,
For many an honored head,
And spreading cloth of crimson
For princely feet to tread,
And singing in loud triumph
The pæan of the hour,
The joy of recent conquest,
The victor's praise and power;
The pæan of the hour,
The joy of recent conquest,
The victor's praise and power;
When one came by heart-weary
With service of the day:
“From dawn to dusk I've labored,
Where do such have their pay?”
With service of the day:
“From dawn to dusk I've labored,
Where do such have their pay?”
Back of this gay assemblage,
Unnoticed of the crowd,
Leadeth a narrow passage
Which darkling shadows shroud.
Unnoticed of the crowd,
Leadeth a narrow passage
Which darkling shadows shroud.
It smells not of the laurel
Nor shows the carpet fine;
There shalt thou find the Master,
And there receive his coin.
Nor shows the carpet fine;
There shalt thou find the Master,
And there receive his coin.
126
A penny of old fashion
With marks of sweat and blood;
Such Moses took in payment,
And Christ, who blessed the rood.
With marks of sweat and blood;
Such Moses took in payment,
And Christ, who blessed the rood.
Clean hands of many a martyr
Have held this symbol small,
Bequeathing to the ages
The value of their all.
Have held this symbol small,
Bequeathing to the ages
The value of their all.
And fairer in the using
Of centuries it grows;
Among immortal treasures,
Splendid and sole it shows.
Of centuries it grows;
Among immortal treasures,
Splendid and sole it shows.
Be joyful in receiving
From heavenly Lord and Friend
What falsehood cannot gather
And folly cannot spend.
From heavenly Lord and Friend
What falsehood cannot gather
And folly cannot spend.
Mined from the heart of ages,
Stamped with unerring skill,
It heaven and earth can purchase,
God's service, man's good-will.
Stamped with unerring skill,
It heaven and earth can purchase,
God's service, man's good-will.
| At Sunset | |