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Hymn
The New Life of Humanity
What Life is that, which, like the Spring,
Now breathes o'er land and sea?
Which doth new life to nations bring,
To all humanity?
Now breathes o'er land and sea?
Which doth new life to nations bring,
To all humanity?
Is it the life which, year by year,
Calls forth the same fair flowers;
So soon, alas, to disappear
From out their summer bowers?
Calls forth the same fair flowers;
So soon, alas, to disappear
From out their summer bowers?
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The same bright birds calls forth again,
With songs to cheer the grove;
So soon, alas, to cease their strain,
And distant far to rove?
With songs to cheer the grove;
So soon, alas, to cease their strain,
And distant far to rove?
No: 'tis a life yet more divine,
To humbler things unknown;
Which nature, time cannot confine,
'Tis felt by man alone.
To humbler things unknown;
Which nature, time cannot confine,
'Tis felt by man alone.
More quickening than the vernal wind,
Like mighty poets' lyre;
That stirs the hearts of all his kind
To something nobler higher;
Like mighty poets' lyre;
That stirs the hearts of all his kind
To something nobler higher;
To nobler Freedom, purer Love,
To perfect lasting Peace;
Till to these thoughts men faithful prove,
And wars forever cease.
To perfect lasting Peace;
Till to these thoughts men faithful prove,
And wars forever cease.
Poem No. 777; c. 4 April 1863
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