So Calm the World

Far up the sky the sunset glamour spreads,
Far off the city lies in golden mist;
The sea grows calm, the waves the sun has kissed
Strike white hands softly ‘gainst the rocky heads.

So calm the world, so still the city lies,
So warm the haze that spreads o’er everything;
And yet where, there, Peace sits as Lord and King,
Havoc will reign when next the sun shall rise.

The wheels pause only for a little space,
And in the pause they gather strength again.
‘Tis but the veil drawn over Labour’s face,

O’er strife, derision, and the sin of men.
My heart with a sweet inner joy o’erflows
To nature’s peace, and a kind silence knows.