DOWN-HEARTED?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17328, 30 May 1918, Page 5

DOWN-HEARTED?

Away with dire forebodings, With iaces pale and drawn— The Nignt is ever darnest In tlie hour belorc the Dawn j Ilavo lull faith in the Leader; liust him, trust him to lcuow Each several hap that may befall, Each pulsing, be it great or small, Of the battle's ebb and flow. ' Though the very Earth is shaking, Ho stands with Soul serene, His hand upon the lever Of his mighty war-machine; With moveless patience waits lie Till Fate his counsels crown, And, swift as e'er attendant god Flasht forth at the All Father's, nod. Ho snap that lever crown; As at the Word creative Up-sprang the World to Day, So up from wood, and coppice, From field, and bank, and brao Leap endless eager armies Responsive to tho call; And, Souls uplifted, hearts aglow, Upon the terror-stricken foe ° Magnificently fall. O. weary were their waiting But that faith all strcngtu imparts; But that tho coining victory Sings ever in their hearts; But that they know each moment Brings on the lookt-for day When, freed from silence and the dark, .liiey press to the predestined mark, And hurl them in tho fray; But that their Souls prophetio See the hour's illusion throughSee shine the Sun of Righteousness Enthroned in the Blue; See how the veiling vapours That, for the moment stain That purity, have hut this entf— Upon Earth's leanness to descend In fertilising rain. O, let our faith, my Brothers, Like theirs be deep and strong; O. lot our hearts, my Brothers, Echo, like theirs, with song; Lot the Souls of us look bravely Through tho fiery blasts of Hell Into the stirless penoe, where still The seer may road God's swervcless Will And see that all io well; ' And. seeing, S o forth gladly. Upon our brows His light, Never more to add our doubtings To the burden of the fight; But to lift our war-worn soldiers On a mighty. rush : n<r tide Of shakeless faith ; add otmngth to strength And ioy to ioy. till Peace at, length Becomes Earth's winsome Bride. MinsTAß.