Page:Poems Merrill.djvu/82

Would fall.—(Oh! all-wise Father—
 By thy supernal power
Revert the pending danger
 Ere falls the fatal hour!

Ah! why?—our hearts may question,—
 Ye mortals!—none can tell!
'Tis meet, on Him relying
 Who doeth all things well.)—

Once more the bells' sweet music
 From all the belfrys rang;
Bidding the folk to gather
 For worship.—Praise they sang.

And as they turned their footsteps—
 Each toward his wonted church;
All was serene and peaceful
 As far as eye could search.

But hark! What meant the tumult
 Arising in yon street—
And why disperse those people
 With swiftly hurrying feet?—