A golden largesse from a store untold br Announced the ruddy day's imperial birth, br And woke a loyal world to jubilant mirth br And hopes that boasted, madly over-bold. br Shadow and thunder from a dull cloud rolled, br A shiver chilled the lately glittering firth, br As gloom set heavy hand upon the earth; br Yet look, on westward hills a gleam of gold. br You have laughed and bidden us laugh, O lord of jest; br You have wept and given us grief, O lonely friend; br And now we sit with silent lips and white, br And dream what craggy ways thou wanderest, br Not finding yet of hope or strife an end, br O soul set free from bondage of the night.