SOON! SOON!
I KNOW not if He come at eve,
Or night, or morn, or noon;
I know the breeze of twilight gray,
That fans the cheek of dying day,
Doth ever whisper -Soon!
I know not why our souls should doubt
His promise to appear,
When every flower's opening eye
Looks up into the changing sky,
And seems to murmur -Near!
I know not round his blessed feet
What peerless glories throng;
I only know from rending tomb
The good shall burst, in beauty's bloom;
And faith assures -Not long!
I know not if his chariot wheels
Yet near or distant are;
I only know each thunder-roll
Doth wake an echo in my soul
That saith, -Not very far!
I know not if we long must wait
The summer of his smile;
I only know that hope doth sweep
With thrilling touch my heart-strings deep,
And sings -A little while!
I know not on this glorious theme
Why lips so oft are dumb;
I only know the saddened earth
Will flush with beauty and with mirth
At sound of " -Lo, I come!"