THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
By Michael Carmichael
“WATCHMAN, what of the night?”
“The darkest hour, that ushers in the dawn,
Broods o’er the earth that, desolate and lorn,
Yearns for the coming light. “Far off I hear the din
Of clanging arms; I see the ghastly heaps
Of the new-slain, where Death red-handed reaps
His awful harvest in. “One fights for Fatherland—
For home, but not for altar; dying and cold
Is the bright flame that kindled hearts of old,
When Germans, hand to hand, “Fought for God’s truth and love,
And the victorious Swede, on Lutzen’s plain,
Laid down his mortal crown to take again
The martyr-crown above. “For glory one contends—
A mighty nation, led, like a passionate child,
By the strong will of one who has beguiled,
To work ignoble ends. “And he the master-mind,
A god of force, lured by an evil star,
With a cold smile lets slip the dogs of war
On shuddering mankind. “And round the nations throng,
Scarce held in leash by prudence; half unfurled
Their standards flap, and the storm shakes the world
With thunders loud and long. “And oh! still sadder sight
For thee, O Bride, who still’st expectant here,
Guarding His honor, till himself appear—
The spotless Prince of light. “A mortal, old and frail,
Sits as a god in God’s own seat, and dares
To claim the title thy Beloved bears—
Wisdom that cannot fail; “While, where the angels sing
Hymns to the Only Wise, and praise is given,
The strong, long suffering Majesty of Heaven
Mocks his vain counseling.” “O Watchman, this again
My Lord foretold me. Strain thy steadfast gaze
Through the night-shadows toward the fount of days,
And say, ‘He comes to reign.’” “Lo, in the eastern sky
A faint flush seems my longing eyes to meet!
Then lift, O Bride, thy joyful head to greet
Redemption drawing nigh.”