After War-time. br br O LIFE, dear life, with sunbeam finger touching br This poor damp brow, or flying freshly by br On wings of mountain wind, or tenderly br In links of visionary embraces clutching br Me from the yawning grave-- br Can I believe thou yet hast power to save? br br I see thee, O my life, like phantom giant br Stand on the hill-top, large against the dawn, br Upon the night-black clouds a picture drawn br Of aspect wonderful, with hope defiant, br And so majestic grown br I scarce discern the image as my own. br br Those mists furl off, and through the vale resplendent br I see the pathway of my years prolong; br Not without labor, yet for labor strong; br Not without pain, but pain whose touch transcendent br By love's divinest laws br Heart unto heart, and all hearts upwards, draws. br br O life, O love, your diverse tones bewildering br Make silence, like two meeting waves of sound; br I dream of wifely white arms, lisp of children-- br Never of ended wars, br Save kisses scaling honorable scars. br br No more of battles! Save the combat glorious br To which all earth and heaven may witness stand; br The sword of the Spirit taking in my hand br I shall go forth, since in new fields victorious br The King yet grants that I br His servant live, or His good soldier die.