It was as if an earthquake rent The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 66 And in despair I bowed my head; In the horoscope of nations, Of peace on earth, good-will to Like ascendant constellations, men!" They control the coming years." Then pealed the bells more loud and But the night-wind cries: "Despair! SEE, the fire is sinking low, While above them still I cower, While a moment more I linger, Though the clock, with lifted finger, Points beyond the midnight hour. Sings the blackened log a tune From a school-boy at his play, When they both were young together, Heart of youth and summer weather Making all their holiday. And the night-wind rising, hark! In the midnight and the snow, All the noisy chimneys blow! 9 Every quivering tongue of flame Hollow Then the flicker of the blaze Gleams on volumes of old days, Written by masters of the art, Over the shining sands the wandering | The cheer of whose laugh, and whose cattle homeward pleasant word, Ye cry aloud, and then are still, OI spake in a whisper, as he who speaks In a room where some one is lying The builder's perfect and centennial dead; flower, That in the night of ages bloomed alone, But wanting still the glory of the spire. TO-MORROW 'Tis late at night, and in the realm of sleep My little lambs are folded like the flocks; From room to room I hear the wakeful clocks Challenge the passing hour, like guards that keep Their solitary watch on tower and steep; Far off I hear the crowing of the cocks, And through the opening door that time unlocks Feel the fresh breathing of To-morrow creep. To-morrow! the mysterious, unknown guest, Who cries to me: "Remember Barmecide, And tremble to be happy with the rest." And I make answer: "I am satisfied; I dare not ask; I know not what is best; God hath already said what shall betide." DIVINA COMMEDIA I OFT have I seen at some cathedral door A laborer, pausing in the dust and heat, Lay down his burden, and with reverent feet Enter, and cross himself, and on the floor Kneel to repeat his paternoster o'er ; Far off the noises of the world re treat; The loud vociferations of the street Become an undistinguishable roar. VI O star of morning and of liberty! O bringer of the light, whose splendor shines Above the darkness of the Apennines, Forerunner of the day that is to be! The voices of the city and the sea, The voices of the mountains and the pines, Repeat thy song, till the familiar lines Are footpaths for the thought of Italy! Thy flame is blown abroad from all the heights, Through all the nations, and a sound is heard, As of a mighty wind, and men devout, Strangers of Rome, and the new proselytes, In their own language hear thy wondrous word, And many are amazed and many doubt. NOËL ENVOYÉ À M. AGASSIZ, LA VEILLE DE L'Académie en respect, N'y fera point de rature; QUAND les astres de Noël |