HUMANITY.
I
Earth's green expanse: her dawns one wave of light:
Her soft winds creeping o'er the forest tall:
Her silence; and the comfort of her night;
Are these then all?
All thou canst give to me,
Humanity?
II
Tears running down the track of buried smiles:
Time's shades condensed into the sable pall:
Hope that deserts; and Gladness that beguiles;
Are these then all?
All thou canst give to me,
Humanity?
III
I saw a Spirit dark 'twixt Earth and Heaven,
Holding a cup in both hands lest it fall—
O friends! a mournful life to us were given,
If Earth were all!
But He who lives for aye hath looked on thee,
Humanity.
