Hear the voice of the Bard!
Who Present, Past, and Future sees;
Whose ears have heard
The Holy Word
That walked among the ancient tress;
Calling the lapsed Soul
And weeping in the evening dew;
That might control
The starry pole,
And fallen, fallen light renew!
"Oh Earth, O Earth, return!
Arise from out the dewy grass;
Night is warm,
And the morn
Rises from the slumberous mars.
"Turn away no more;
Why wilt thou turn away?
The starry floor
The watery shore
Is given thee till the break of day."
Earth raised up her head,
From the darkness dread and drear.
Her light fled:
Stony dread!
And her locks covered with grey despair.
"Prisoned on watery shore
Starry Jealousy does keep my den,
Cold and hoar
Weeping o're
I hear the Father of the ancient men.
"Selfish father of men,
Cruel, jealous, selfish fear!
Can delight
Chained in night
The virgins of youth and morning bear?
"Does spring hide it's joy
When buds and blossoms grows?
Does the sower
Sow by night
Or the plowman in darkness plow?
"Break this heavy chain
That does freeze my bones around;
Selfish! vain!
Eternal bane!
That free Love with bondage bound."