University of Virginia Library

The Poet's Plea

Why sing, amidst the strife which reigns around?
Will men the poet's heart-felt music hear?
Or will they heed the Gospel's peaceful sound,
And sheathe the sword, and break the threatening spear?
Ah no, yet unsubdued men's passions rage!
The never-ceasing conflict born within,
Or outward foes, their energies engage,
O'er which they strive the victory to win.
But still the poet midst the tumult sings,
Hoping from war and strife men's thoughts to gain;
He touches with diviner skill the strings,
And from his harp there breathes a holier strain;
Such as the watchful shepherds wondering heard,
When the still night by angels' lyres was stirred!
That strain harmonious through the war-worn earth
Shall yet be heard, and every nation move;
It tells the glories of the heavenly birth,
Heroic deeds of Faith and Christian Love.
O'er the wild tumults of the world it steals,
Calming the fury of its outward strife;
A higher, holier conflict it reveals;
The victory and the crown, Eternal Life!
The warrior hears, and drops his blood-stained sword,
No more with war's fierce flames his bosom burns;
Man in God's image is once more restored,
The golden age of Peace and Love returns;
And Nature with new beauty decks her bowers,
Scattering with lavish hand her fruits and flowers.