The Winds of God.
Blow, soft Spring wind
!1
Out of the amber west, when down the sky2
The shadows slowly creep, and Heaven’s lit lamps3
Speak ev’ning nigh !4
Fan with thy living breath the rousing earth,5
And let thy voice tell to all drowsy hearts6
The year’s new birth !7
Blow, Summer wind !8
When, after days of drought and sullen heat,9
Out of the heaped-up clouds there comes a sound10
Like echoing feet !11
While from the distance, borne on breezy wings,12
The rain descending on the thirsty plain,13
Its beauty flings !14
Blow, Autumn wind !15
Out on the yellow woods and stubble lands,16
Stir the brown brake and scatter thistledown17
With myriad hands !18
Sleep after labour, after turmoil rest :19
By strength and weakness, yea, by life and death,20
The world is blest !21
Blow, Winter wind ! 22
Out o’er the tumbling sea roll cloud and mist ;23
Roar through bare branches, striking wizard notes24
Where’er you list !25
Driving the ships ; and in and out of all26
Working God’s will—who, from the frozen seas,27
Came at His call !28
Blow, Breath Divine !29
Beyond the depths of the uncounted host,30
Beyond the mystic circle of the sky,31
Come, Holy Ghost
!32
Lo ! hatred, blasphemy, and sin aspire33
To raise their devil-thrones amid the gloom,34
Come, quenchless fire !35
Yea ! and the world is buried still in night,36
And loud and long thy watchmen warn in vain—37
Come, Living Light !38