THE WATCHER ON THE TOWER. "What dost thou see, lone watcher on the tower? The stars are clear above me, scarcely one Some fair, faint streaks, as if the light would surge.” "Look forth again, oh, watcher on the tower— The people wake, and languish for the hour; Long have they dwelt in darkness, and they pine For the full daylight that they know must shine." "I see not well-the morn is cloudy still; There is a radiance on the distant hill, "And is that all, oh, watcher on the tower? "A mist envelopes them; I cannot trace Their outline; but the day comes on apace, The clouds roll up in gold and amber flakes, And all the stars grow dim. The morning breaks." 102 "We thank thee, lonely watcher on the tower; "I see the hill-tops now ;"and Chanticleer I see the distant woods and fields of corn, 66 Again-again-oh, watcher on the tower— "I hope, but cannot tell. I hear a song, "What doth he say—oh, watcher on the tower?" "He prophesies; his heart is full;-his lay "We thank thee, watcher on the lonely tower, 66 He sings of brotherhood, and joy, and peace, Of days when jealousies and hate shall cease; When war shall die, and man's progressive mind Soar as unfettered as its God designed." "Well done! thou watcher on the lonely tower; Is the day breaking? dawns the happy hour? We pine to see it :-tell us, yet again, If the broad daylight breaks upon the plain?" "It breaks-it comes-the misty shadows fly :- CHARLES MACKAY, LL.D. |