I looked abroad; gloom, only gloom;
Weird, solemn, chill and densely drear;
Black curtain over nature's bier;
Silence oppressive as of doom.
"Oh soul!" I said, "though morn be bright,
Though gorgeous vistas charm life's day,
Descends on every earth-trod way
Cold mortal chill, bereavement's night."
Once more I looked; transcendent shine!
The myriad gates of light unbarred;
The glowing heavens serenely starred;
Dull earth transformed to scene divine.
Then said I, "Soul! would the mercy beams
Shed ever such radiant light,
Had'st thou not known dark sorrow's night
Or groped within this world of dreams?"