The Drum Beat/Number 10/Via Crucis, Via Lucis

by Ludwig Theobul Kosegarten

VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS.

Through night to light! and though black darkness cover
 Creation's face from mortal eyes,
Good cheer! good cheer! when midnight's gloom is over,
 A morning, mild and fair, shall rise.

Through storm to calm! and though, through earth and heaven,
 The tempest rolls his thundering wheel,
Good cheer! good cheer! through storm-clouds, lightning-riven,
 A stillness, pure and sweet, shall steal.

Through frost to spring! and though cold Eurus, sweeping,
 Freeze all the juice in Nature's veins,
Good cheer! good cheer! o'er wastes of winter creeping,
 A vernal breath shall cheer the plains.

Through strife to peace! and though the roar and rattle
 Of thousand deaths encompass thee;
Good cheer! good cheer! Soon dies the din of battle
 In songs of peace and victory.

Through sweat to sleep! and though, with scorching power,
 The sultry noon weighs on thee now,
Good cheer! good cheer! The cool of evening's hour
 Shall lull to rest thy weary brow.

Through cross to crown! and though life's care and sorrow
 With giant terrors menace thee,
Good cheer! good cheer! There comes a tearless morrow,
 When thou the peace of God shall see.

Through woe to joy! and though morn find thee weeping,
 And midnight see thee weeping still,
Good cheer! good cheer! God watches thee, unsleeping!
 Resign thee to The Father's will.

Through death to life! still tread, with zeal contending,
 Life's field of thorns, earth's vale of tears,
To the great feast on high victoriously ascending,
 The bliss of Heaven's eternal years!

C. T. B.