THE DAWN OF PEACE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1901, 9 November 1918, Page 3

THE DAWN OF PEACE.

’Tis cold and dam]), and hazy is the light. But yonder, look, as speeds tlui passing night, A wond’rous scene meets our expectant sight— It is the dawn of peace! Look to the morn, dark shadows lurk behind; Fold closer hope, for yet the chilling wind, With icy breath, is whisp’ring to unr mind Night’s horrors, that must cease. ’Tis early morn, and all the world is still: The sun’s first rays are waking vale and hill; But will this light ihe world's great bosom fill And flood the world with peace? We've left behind a, night of ghastly dreams — Phantoms of ghouls —and now to ns it seems This creeping light that o'er I lie landscape beams Heralds a day of peace. But yonder, see, the sky looms black again— A direful dirge rolls from the doleful main, And chills our heart, and cats into our brain; Grim herald of (he storm. Though you have shed your light o'er lords and kings, And Hope rides high on Optimism s wings, Man’s sinful heart —most selfish of all things — Forever is the same. Democracy —our mother's latest form — Fair child of Hope, conceived in pain and torn With ruthless hand from .Mother Earth, we mourn The death that gave thee birth. Wc hail your birth—ten thousand welcomes, when Ymi change the heart, bind passion’s rule, in men, End selfishness and pride and hale; for then There will be peace on earth. For see, the clouds are gath’ring dark again; The moaning wind's low sobbing breathes of pain— In shadows dark lurk ghosts of all earth’s slain — - They haunt ns with (heir wails. Man’s heart’s nnchaiig'd —accept this truth we must — Dark passion feeds on enmity and lust; And earth’s last hope lies bleeding in the dust, And all the human fails. Thou child of Hope, wc over-priz’d your worth, And thought you’d bring the gift of peace to earlh; But Travail’s pang that gave to thee thy birth Was ago-worn Earth’s decease. Now in yon bright effulgent dawn we sec, A glorious light flows from Infinity And fills the earth to all eternity With joy and perfect peace. Oh, wondrous scene that (ills our ’raptured sight: From out the East soft steals this strange new light That (ills the earth, and lifts (he shades of night — It is the New World’s birth. Sin is no more —dark shadows all are flown; Earth’s kings are gone, for God is on the Throne ; And in this light we see that man alone Could never rule the earth. All hail the birth of this Eternal Morn! All hail the birth of this transcendent dawn! This is the day— ’tis now that peace is horn — This is Eternity. Ruahino te Anau. Foxton, Nov. 9th, 1918.