The world's wild strife and change
He sees against a far horizon-line
As shadows marshaled by a music strange
To goal divine.

He laughs while love and death
Are breaking mighty hearts, while Mammon jeers,
He laughs a quiet laugh that echoeth
The crystal spheres.

If men of bitter lip
Deride him, still the dancing children share
His secret, and the golden willow-tip
In April air,

—Secret that shall surprise
Doomsday to festival when through earth's dreams
Of sorrow, pain, defeat, and sacrifice,
The glory gleams.