THE OPEN VISION.
Oh, to be out in the open!
Where the peace of God distills
In the whispering of leafy woods
And the lilt of limpid rills,
And the great calm of creation broods
On the strength of the holy hills.
Oh, to be out in the open!
With the blue sky over me,
Up-vaulting from the weather-gleam
Of the vast, encircling sea,
With its riplets roll'd
In Heaven's cloth of gold,
Or its great waves riding free,—
Their white crests lasht
By the stormy blast,—
Yet owning man's mastery,
As his brave bark sweeps
Through the surging deeps
To the haven where he would be!
Oh, to be out in the open!
Afar from the bigoted crew,
To walk in Heaven's light
And press on to the right,
Whose virtue makes all things new,
Sweeping lies, in God's name,
To the pit of their shame,
By homage to that which is true!
