PEACE

Now Peace at last is hovering o'er the world

On silver wings, and golden trumpets blow.

Home from the long crusade the warriors go,—

Victorious knights with banners wide unfurled,

Bow down your head, for these have passed where swirled

Great tides of darkness ebbing too and fro;

Their eyes have seen,‘ mid fiery tempests’ glow,

How youth at Death its dauntless challenge hurled.

And these are they who saw the Holy Grail,

Brimming with youthful blood like ruddy wine

Poured out in sacrifice. The light divine

Before whose awful glow they did not quail

Now beckons us; and shall our footsteps fail

To follow where they set the blood-stained sign?