Nocturne

“LET there be night,” they said; and there was night —
Hideous with fire, shrill with piteous cries.
Then further they decreed: “Let black be white,
And God be mocked and all His truth be lies —
This is our Law, and he who spurns it dies!”
Therefore men died. But others lived to fight —
Knowing Hell the penalty and Hope the prize —
And through the dark their eyes laid hold on light.

One to the plow, and one to fling his youth
Into the burning sea; and one to wait —
Guarding a small bright flame of holy things
For another age. Each sings victorious truth:
“God is not mocked. Man was not made for hate.
Out of our night let dawn come up on wings.”