Ha, such a night, such gloom and stress! A raging storm outdoors! A lion in the wilderness, Mark how the tempest roars! — Ha, do you come from Death's dark vale, You ghostly shapes that crowd Night's field of combat, there to trail In grey-spun garb of cloud? And then yon thunder, loud and strong As very midnight passed! Like murk's wild, savage victory-song, Like judgement's trumpet-blast! O, many a time I would pour scorn On dread of Judgement Day, Ha, that contempt fine fruit has borne, This present wild dismay! Long, long ago while still a lad I'd pray with such delight To God in Heaven for Mum and Dad And little ones at night; — But long, ah! long that ceased to be, I have forgone my prayer, No more incline to piety, No more seek solace there! Ha, feeble soul! do you so quail Before these thunder-claps? You think in this night's dreadful gale To see Doomsday perhaps A day that never could befall, — As oft your creed denied; And in the God on whom you call Your faith has long since died! Ha, demon, are you watching yet? Foul tempter, get thee hence! O, like the hurricane's wild fret My soul's one turbulence, And in that doubt-tormented sea No channel, no safe way! God, for one childlike prayer to Thee All worldly wit I'd pay! But ah, `tis past, my infancy, I lack the childlike mind! The path the innocent can see Through faith, to that I'm blind! O, this dread night where horrors hide Is lightning-lit at best, Yet it is day's clear gleam beside My own benighted breast! Yet even so I'll not despair But heed the bosom's call: I shall cleave fast to Hope, declare Faith in my God withal! Just let the tempest howl away, I'll sleep and rest withdrawn, Assuredly I'll wake some day With childlike faith reborn. ***