When sound the far-off drums
In spirits of far-off hearing,
And need of hardship comes
To them who follow fearing
The cloudy ways of circumstance,
There works a ponderous chance.

'Tis known to wiser minds
That some strong power selecting
From Nature's populous kinds
Gives love its sure directing,
And forms life's future fashionings
Through time's immediate things.

So rise the Captains great
Of destiny's achievings.
So move the lords of fate
Out of the past's inweavings.
Who thus discerns may clearly see
How God shapes history.