7.

It's wiser being good than bad;
It's safer being meek than fierce :
It's fitter being sane than mad.'

My own hope is, a sun will pierce
The thickest cloud earth ever stretched;
That, after Last, returns the First,
Though a wide compass round be fetched;
That what began best, can't end worst,

Nor what God blessed once, prove accurst.

EPILOGUE.

EPILOGUE.

FIRST SPEAKER.

1.

On the first of the Feast of Feasts,
The Dedication Day,

When the Levites joined the Priests
At the Altar in robed array,
Gave signal to sound and say,—

2.

When the thousands, rear and van,

Swarming with one accord,

Became as a single man,

(Look, gesture, thought, and word) In praising and thanking the Lord,

Q

3.

When the singers lift up their voice,
And the trumpets made endeavor,
Sounding, "In God rejoice!"
Saying, "In Him rejoice

Whose mercy endureth forever!"

4.

Then the Temple filled with a cloud,
Even the House of the Lord;

Porch bent and pillar bowed:

For the presence of the Lord,

In the glory of His cloud,

Had filled the House of the Lord.

SECOND SPEAKER.

Gone now! All gone across the dark so far,

Sharpening fast, shuddering ever, shutting still,

Dwindling into the distance, dies that star

Which came, stood, opened once! We gazed our fill With upturned faces on as real a Face

That, stooping from grave music and mild fire,