I

We do accept thee, heavenly Peace!
Albeit thou comest in a guise
Unlooked for — undesired, our eyes
Welcome through tears the sweet release
From war, and woe, and want, — surcease,
For which we bless thee, blessed Peace!

II

We lift our foreheads from the dust;
And as we meet thy brow's clear calm,
There falls a freshening sense of balm
Upon our spirits. Fear — distrust —
The hopeless present on us thrust —
We 'll meet them as we can, and must .

III

War has not wholly wrecked us: still
Strong hands, brave hearts, high souls are ours —
Proud consciousness of quenchless powers —
A Past whose memory makes us thrill —
Futures uncharactered, to fill
With heroisms — if we will.

IV

Then courage, brothers! — Though each breast
Feel oft the rankling thorn, despair,
That failure plants so sharply there —
No pain, no pang shall be confest:
We 'll work and watch the brightening west,
And leave to God and Heaven the rest.