I praise thee, God of love! for this Day's light,
Which leads the train of days in this new year,――
For months not seeming destin'd to me here,
But ah instead thereof a darksome night
In the low grave, of all earth's joys the blight.――
I live! And in my thoughts old scenes appear.
The mighty Falls, where gazing I stood near
In happy youth, rise up in splendor bright,
When, as I gaz'd, there met my wond'ring eye
Amid the wat'ry strife the beauteous Bow,
As if brought down from its high place, the sky,
And planted deep in the thick mist below;――
God's bow of promise to the earth beneath,――
Symbol of Peace 'mid Sin and War and Death!
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