Page:Poems and ballads, third series (IA poemsballadsthir00swin).pdf/25

xii.

Strange clouds have risen between, and wild

Red stars of storm that lit the abyss
Wherein fierce fraud and violence kiss
And mock such promise as beguiled
The fiftieth year from this.

xiii.

War upon war, change after change,

Hath shaken thrones and towers to dust,
And hopes austere and faiths august
Have watched in patience stern and strange
Men's works unjust and just.

xiv.

As from some Alpine watch-tower's portal

Night, living yet, looks forth for dawn,
So from time's mistier mountain lawn
The spirit of man, in trust immortal,
Yearns toward a hope withdrawn.