Classic Poem

The first and the last art thou—
The Morning and Evening Star;
The dawn and the sunset gleam
On the dim horizon bar;

The bud and the perfect flower;
The seed and the ripened grain;
Spring-time and harvest art thou—
The cloud and the latter rain!

Thou art the word of the Prophet,
And the Prophet's word fulfilled;
Thou art Miriam's song of triumph,
And the anthem not yet stilled.

Thou art the throne and the sceptre,
Thou art freedom's latest sign;
The cry of the martyred people,
And the grasp of the Hand Divine!

Thou art the prayer and its answer;
The dream and the heart's desire;
The spark in the smouldering embers,
The leap of the altar fire!

Oh! the eons may come and go,
And the stars burn out in the sky;—
Thou wilt still be the first and the last
While the endless years roll by!