Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
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AFTERMATH. |
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 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
AFTERMATH.
Sunshine and shadow have played on the field,
Drought and the falling of dew
Blessed it and broke and made it anew;—
What is thy yield?
Pain with its arrow and grief with its harrow
Troubled it turning each part,
Rooted up bristles of obstinate thistles
Trying the depths of its heart;
Laid very low all the pride of the heap,
Letting in beams of the morn;
What has the Master, who looks not for thorn,
Left Him to reap?
Drought and the falling of dew
Blessed it and broke and made it anew;—
What is thy yield?
Pain with its arrow and grief with its harrow
Troubled it turning each part,
Rooted up bristles of obstinate thistles
Trying the depths of its heart;
Laid very low all the pride of the heap,
Letting in beams of the morn;
What has the Master, who looks not for thorn,
Left Him to reap?
Comforts have curtained thee round with their glow
Sheltered from storm and the blight,
Raised thy poor weakness and led it to light;—
What didst thou sow?
Ploughing has humbled the clods that it crumbled
Surely with searching of care,
Sorrow with riving has killed the surviving
Weeds that escaped from the share;
Where is the glory of fruits, that should leap
Ripe from the bosom of earth?
What shall the Master, who seeks not for dearth,
Find Him to reap?
Sheltered from storm and the blight,
Raised thy poor weakness and led it to light;—
What didst thou sow?
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Surely with searching of care,
Sorrow with riving has killed the surviving
Weeds that escaped from the share;
Where is the glory of fruits, that should leap
Ripe from the bosom of earth?
What shall the Master, who seeks not for dearth,
Find Him to reap?
Mercy was thine and by merit not won
Guiding thy steps through the year,
Lavish with plenty that shielded from fear;—
What hast thou done?
O when thou carvest good cheer from the harvest
Piling up gold in the sheaves,
Bountiful measure for thee and thy pleasure—
Whose are the pitiful leaves?
Why dost thou offer the blemished and cheap,
Refuse that man would but spurn?
What can the Master, who asks some return,
Reckon to reap?
Guiding thy steps through the year,
Lavish with plenty that shielded from fear;—
What hast thou done?
O when thou carvest good cheer from the harvest
Piling up gold in the sheaves,
Bountiful measure for thee and thy pleasure—
Whose are the pitiful leaves?
Why dost thou offer the blemished and cheap,
Refuse that man would but spurn?
What can the Master, who asks some return,
Reckon to reap?
Heaven has open its windows and rained
Blessings on thee and thy store,
Riches of meetness and beauty and more;—
What hast thou gained?
Think of the chances that bright with their glances
Summoned thee sweetly to toil,
Mystical meanings and wonderful gleanings
Hid in the promising soil;
Full was thy fortune and never at neap,
Bringing thee honour and all;
What for the Master, who comes with His call,
Lingers to reap?
Blessings on thee and thy store,
Riches of meetness and beauty and more;—
What hast thou gained?
Think of the chances that bright with their glances
Summoned thee sweetly to toil,
Mystical meanings and wonderful gleanings
Hid in the promising soil;
Full was thy fortune and never at neap,
Bringing thee honour and all;
What for the Master, who comes with His call,
Lingers to reap?
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |