Classic Poem

I looked upon the dreary waste
—Of man's ambition, lust and fear:
I judged all mortals in my haste—
—The New Year bells rang loud and clear!

I wept for all the wars of old,
—I doubted every dream of peace,
I sighed for mankind's lust of gold—
—The bells of New Year would not cease!

I saw the starving poor go down
—Amid the battles of the strong;
I cursed the cruel, heartless town—
—Again the bells burst into song!

They sang of peace, they sang good will,
—They sang of love that soon must reign;
I mocked their song, but could not still
—The flooding rapture of their strain.

And thus the bells ring on and on
—In countless hearts that claim the Hope:
They hail the ever-coming dawn
—Though all the nations darkly grope.

I looked upon the dreary waste
Of man's ambition, lust and fear:
I judged all mortals in my haste—
The New Year bells rang loud and clear!

I wept for all the wars of old,
I doubted every dream of peace,
I sighed for mankind's lust of gold—
The bells of New Year would not cease!

I saw the starving poor go down
Amid the battles of the strong;
I cursed the cruel, heartless town—
Again the bells burst into song!

They sang of peace, they sang good will,
They sang of love that soon must reign;
I mocked their song, but could not still
The flooding rapture of their strain.

And thus the bells ring on and on
In countless hearts that claim the Hope:
They hail the ever-coming dawn
Though all the nations darkly grope.