“Peace!” shall the world out-wearied ever see
Its universal reign? Will states, will kings,
Put down those murderous and unholy things
Which fill the earth with blood and misery?
Will nations learn that love—not enmity—
Is heaven’s first lesson—which beneath the wings
Of mercy, brooding over land and sea,
Fills earth with joy, by its soft ministerings?
‘Twere a sad prospect—’twere a vista dark
As midnight—could this wearied mortal eye,
Thro’ the dim mists that veil futurity,
Discern not that heaven-bright though distant spark,
Lighted by prophecy—whose ray sublime
Sheds a soft gleam of hope o’er the dull path of time.
(John Bowring)
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Based on Topics: World Poems, Sadness Poems, Time Poems, War & Peace Poems, Joy & Excitement Poems, Kings & Queens Poems, Hope Poems, Forgiveness PoemsBased on Keywords: midnight-, ministerings, heaven-bright, prophecy-, out-wearied, lesson-