Now and Then
by Rev. W. C. Richards
Now - the tumult of the battle surging,
Now - the clouds that shut the warriors in;
Some who faint, and more the conflict urging -
Sighs and shouts together in the din!
Then - the splendor of the conquest shining,
Not a victor on the plain uncrowned;
Not a sigh for any loss repining -
Rapture waking all the sky around!
Now - our shrinkings from so many crosses,
And life's valleys watered by our tears.
Foolish tears we weep o'er little losses -
Trailing always through their mists our fears.
Then - the one cross we'll remember only -
Making of our crosses steps to Christ;
One dear cross whose passion vast and lonely
Bound us sweetly in redemption's tryst.
Now - the hidings of our Father's glory -
Walls that close around the earth and sun;
Weak unrest with nature's half-told story,
Knowledge only evermore begun.
Then - then the curtain of the universes
Rolled away, as mists at morning fled;
Each star that shines its history rehearses,
And ignorance, with sin and death, is dead.
Now - the anguish of all mortal sorrow.
Now, the groans that from our hearts are wrung,
Vain expectancies of bliss to-morrow,
All to-morrows with deep sackcloth hung.
Then - all sorrow from the bosom banished,
God himself to wipe our tears away;
Then - the cheats of earthly hopes evanished,
All to-morrows merged in heaven's to-day!
Now - the psalm that tells us death is strongest:
Strongest, surest of the foes we have;
Now - the waiting for the shadow's longest,
Till it falls upon the hallowed grave.
Then - the anthem of the resurrection -
We shall chant death's sure destructive o'er;
And shadows to the grave in dark direction,
From heaven's sunlight shall grow long no more.
