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By the Sea, and Other Verses

<h2>BY THE SEA</h2> AN ARGUMENT FOR PEACE <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> "You do but dream; the world will never see Such time as this you picture, when the sword Shall lie inglorious in its sheath, and be No more of valorous deeds incentive or reward." </div> <div class="stanza"> The ocean breezes fanned them where they sat, At leisure from life's conflict, toil and care, Yet not unthoughtful, nor unmindful that In all its weal and woe they held their share. </div> <div class="stanza"> The rose-light charm and pride of earliest youth A chastening touch had toned to lovelier hue, And the white soul of purity and truth Looked out alike from eyes of brown and blue. </div> <div class="stanza"> "I covet your fair hope," he spake again, "I cannot share it; all the hoary past Denies that mightier prowess of the pen [Pg 9] The poet claims, and proves it still surpassed </div> <div class="stanza"> "By sword and musket and the arts of war. And 'twere not so,—the query will return, Albeit such conflict we must all abhor— How should the fires of patriotism burn? </div> <div class="stanza"> "Their flames are kindled by the flash of arms, And fed by recount of heroic deed; The sanguinary story has its charms Tho the heart sicken o'er it as we read. </div> <div class="stanza"> "And what were Greece without her Marathon? Or Rome, had not her Caesars fought and won? How reigns Britannia, Empress near and far, But for her Waterloo and Trafalgar? </div> <div class="stanza"> "And we, know not our souls a quickening thrill At thought of Lexington and Bunker Hill? And with a pride no rival passion mars Greet we not now our glorious Stripes and Stars? </div> <div class="stanza"> "Yes, friend, I own your theory is fine; I grant your outlook far exceedeth mine In excellence and beauty, in its scope Embracing that millennial age of bliss The spirit pants for while it chafes in this; I covet, tho I cannot share, your hope." </div> <div class="stanza"> "My hope," she answered, smiling, "is a faith; The kingdoms of this world are yet to be The kingdoms of our blessed Lord, the Christ;— Lord of all life thro' dire and vengeful death— Wrought thro' such sacrifice, unspared, unpriced, [Pg 10] His word and purpose must fulfilment see, And realms by mountains bounded or by seas Must own allegiance to the Prince of Peace. </div> <div class="stanza"> "I yield to none"—and as she spoke there sped Across the opal beauty of the sea A light-winged vessel, bearing at its head The starry emblem of the brave and free— </div> <div class="stanza"> "I yield to none in loyalty and love For yon bright banner, but I hold it still As token to the world, all else above, Of peace on earth and unto man good will. </div> <div class="stanza"> "God gave His land to be the home of man; And all that brightens and upbuilds the home Uplifts humanity; tramp, tribe and clan, Knowing no hearthstone, are content to roam, </div> <div class="stanza"> "But drawing nearer God the man returns And rears his household altar. In some quest The feet may wander, but the heart still yearns For the soft home-light and the quiet rest. </div> <div class="stanza"> "Think yet again, good brother, is it not From off such altar, whether it may glow In princely palace or in lowliest cot, That the true flame of country-love must flow? While that enkindled by the flash of arms Is a 'strange fire,' consuming while it charms. </div> <div class="stanza"> "Lives Greece less nobly in her Parthenon, In what her Solons wrote, her poets sang, Than in the gastly pride of Marathon, [Pg 11] And kindred fields where victors' praises rang? </div> <div class="stanza"> "And we, enriched thro' Commerce, Letters, Art, Forgot our earlier grievances and scars, Are we not ready for a better part? Have we not now outgrown our need of wars? </div> <div class="stanza"> "Surely it should be so," he made reply; "The sated earth cries out against the flow Of human blood: 'How long? how long?' The cry Must pierce the heavens from writhing hearts below. </div> <div class="stanza"> "But men heed not; the glamor and the gain Of warfare blind them to its sin and pain; They know not pity and they count not cost Till armies meet and life and cause are lost. </div> <div class="stanza"> "Would they but listen 'twere an errand blest To plead against oppressor for oppressed; Would they but follow it were joy indeed Up the white hills of truth and peace to lead. </div> <div class="stanza"> "But, ah! the multitudes are gone astray, The powerful of the earth will have their way; What profit, sister, in our prayers and tears? Why mar the spring-time gladness of our years </div> <div class="stanza"> "In vain pursuit of universal good? In fruitless care for earth's vast brotherhood? Glad would I grasp such work could I but see. Or near, or far, your hoped-for victory." </div> <div class="stanza"> "Whether they hear," she answered, "or forbear, 'Tis ours with signal truths to light the skies; God's promises and warnings to declare;— [Pg 12] How can men follow if no leader rise? </div> <div class="stanza"> "The Christ shall be the victor; O my friend, Why do we limit His almighty power Who sees from far beginning to the end? Whose day may be an æon or an hour? </div> <div class="stanza"> "The sea is His; He made it; and His word Can speak its wildest tumult into calm; As He may will its deepest founts are stirred, Or surface-ripples breathe a praiseful psalm. </div> <div class="stanza"> "As well His power the rise and fall doth sway Of human passion, tho He suffer long; The puny pride of man shall yet obey The mandate of the Only Wise and Strong. </div> <div class="stanza"> "But God would have the children of His grace In this great reclamation have a share; And each in his appointed hour and place Must stand, or other brow his crown will wear." </div> <div class="stanza"> She paused, and o'er them, as with magic spell, For a brief space a holy silence fell; Then while the sunset crimson of the sky Set ocean all a-blush, he made reply: </div> <div class="stanza"> "Reason and candor justify your claim; The Infinite is infinite in all; The Power that touches into life that flame Holds earth and heaven subject to His call, And at His fiat peoples rise and fall. </div> <div class="stanza"> "Your dauntless zeal doth shame my coward heart; Your word of faith my courage doth inspire; [Pg 13] I see 'tis only noble to have part In moral contest; not to fan the fire Of a false glory, which must ever feed On souls that perish, and on hearts that bleed. </div> <div class="stanza"> "And this I gather from your earnest plea;— That souls which walk in light and see the way To heights of truth yet unattained, must be Fore-runners for their Lord, must work and pray For the incoming of the perfect day. </div> <div class="stanza"> "Join we in this sweet service; cherish still The trust that gives you courage for the fight; Your 'peaceful war' on all that's base and ill, Your patient battle for the pure, the right. Let us press on and mount the hills of light." </div> <div class="stanza"> The ocean murmur fell upon their ears Sweeter than bird-song or the voice of mirth, As beamed her answering smile, thro' grateful tears, While her lips whispered only "Peace on earth." </div> <div class="stanza"> "Peace! peace!"—the evening zephyrs caught the strain, The wavelets sent the word across the sea; Exultant Nature trilled the glad refrain;— "Peace! peace! The Christ is come, and peace shall be!" </div> </div> <hr class="chap" />[Pg 14] <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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