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And it shall come to pass afterward, that 
 I zoill pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; 
 and your sons and your daughters shall 
 prophesy, your old men shall dream 
 dreams, your young men shall see visions. 
 Joel, 2:28. 
 
Clje ^ong of a 
 
 BY 
 FRANCIS G. HANCHETT 
 
 CHICAGO 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED 
 

 
 Copyright, iqi5 by 
 FRANCIS G. HANCHETT 
 
 DEC 16 1915 
 
 CI.A418U43 
 
THIS LITTLE VOLUME 
 IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED 
 
 KATE GILES HANCHETT 
 
For foetry is faith. * * * Poetry is the 
 gai science. * * * Poetry is the consola- 
 tion of mortal men. * * * Bring us the 
 bards who shall sing all of our old ideas out 
 of our heads i and new ones in; men-making 
 -poets. * * * celestial Bacchus! drive 
 them mad, — this multitude of vagabonds, 
 hungry for eloquence, hungry for poetry, 
 starving for symbols, * * ♦ and in the 
 long delay indemnifying themselves with 
 the false wine of alcohol, of politics, or of 
 money. Poetry and Imagination. 
 
 Ralph Waldo Emerson. 
 
 In the very core of the world's heart stands 
 immortal youth. * * * 
 
 Every morning the day is reborn among 
 the newly blossomed flowers with the same 
 message retold and the same assurance 
 renewed that death eternally dies, that the 
 waves of turmoil are on the surface, and 
 that the sea of tranquillity is fathomless. 
 * * * 
 
 The human soul is on its journey from 
 law to love, from discipline to liberation, 
 from the moral plane to the spiritual. * * * 
 Only he has attained the final truth who 
 knows that the whole world is a creation of 
 joy. Sadhana. (The Realization of 
 Life.) Rabindranath Tagore. 
 
Jforetoorb 
 
 It would seem that the most casual 
 observer of the world's history must realize 
 that we are fast approaching a climax in 
 human affairs. 
 
 To one watching carefully the signs of 
 the times during the past generation it is 
 obvious that, in spite of the splendid results 
 achieved in science, invention and industry, 
 we have passed through a night of spiritual- 
 ity, an age of materialism, which could not 
 last and the darkness of which is fast dis- 
 appearing. 
 
 The morning of a better day is approach- 
 ing. Poets were the first to prophesy it. 
 New spiritual and idealistic movements 
 heralded its advent, and the ever widen- 
 ing humanitarian movement, both social 
 and industrial, is an earnest that the new 
 day is close at hand. 
 
 While the war in which the world is now 
 involved is seemingly a step backward into 
 
 [9] 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 the night, it is looked upon by many as but 
 a clearing of the stage for a more beautiful 
 and spiritual civilization. 
 
 To me, an optimist, the tragic events of 
 the present seem but part of the great 
 evolutionary plan, and I am often reminded 
 of Cowper's lines: 
 
 "God moves in a mysterious way 
 His wonders to perform, 
 He plants His footsteps on the sea 
 And rides upon the storm." 
 
 In gaining the exalted viewpoint ex- 
 pressed in the following poem I wish grate- 
 fully to acknowledge especial help from 
 the writings of Emerson, Whitman, Words- 
 worth, Tagore and Eucken, and from the 
 eloquent and inspired modern prophet, 
 
 Annie Besant. 
 
 Francis G. Hanchett. 
 
 Plano, III. 
 November, 1915. 
 
 [lo] 
 
*We must look for the germinating of the 
 spiritual man, not of the intellectual; that 
 which is beyond intellect, that which is 
 higher than the scientific mind, the quali- 
 ties that have shown out in the great 
 religious teachers of the past, the qualities 
 that characterized the Buddha, the Christ, 
 are the spiritual qualities as apart from 
 the intellectual; and it is the germinating 
 of those qualities now which will make the 
 origin of the Race that is to be. * * * 
 For what is the great mark of such spirit- 
 ual types of humanity, what the quality 
 that shines out above all others wherever 
 they appear upon earth? It is that qual- 
 ity that to-day we name Brotherhood, the 
 recognition of that unity of life which 
 makes for all-embracing compassion and 
 boundless self-sacrifice. 
 
 The Changing World, 
 
 Annie Besant. 
 
Solitary, singing in the West, I strike 
 up for a New World. 
 
 * * * * * 
 
 J say no man has ever yet been half devout 
 
 enough. 
 
 None has ever yet adored or worshiped half 
 
 enough. 
 
 None has begun to think how divine he 
 
 himself is, and how certain the future is. 
 
 J say that the real and permanent grandeur 
 
 of these States must be their religion. 
 
 Starting from Paumanok, 
 Walt Whitman. 
 
^fje ^ong of a 
 ©atuning i^aj> 
 
 /i^^UR young men are seeing visions, 
 \j^ Our old men are dreaming dreams, 
 And on mountain peaks already 
 Rising sun of wisdom gleams; 
 Prophets peering towards the future, 
 
 Poets with an inner sight, 
 See the rosy glow of morning 
 Tinting gloomy clouds of night. 
 
 I have seen prophetic vision 
 
 Of the future of our world, 
 And an Angel stands before me 
 
 With Love's rosy flag unfurled, 
 And upon the firm foundation 
 
 That our pilgrim fathers laid 
 Has been reared Celestial Temple 
 
 Wisdom's blessed cause to aid. 
 
 [13] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 Sparkling fires of inspiration, 
 
 On its altars brightly burning, 
 Have lit up in every bosom 
 
 God-like spark of heavenly yearning; 
 And a choir of poet-prophets 
 
 Sings such songs of joyous truth 
 That the age forgets its sorrows 
 
 And the world renews its youth. 
 
 And all men believe the poets, 
 
 Listen to their songs with glee. 
 Mould their lives to fit the pattern 
 
 Poets see of what should be; 
 For there is creative genius 
 
 In the hearts of all mankind 
 That will make a new world for us 
 
 When true poets stir the mind. 
 
 So great poets draw the picture 
 
 Of the world as it should be. 
 And the genius of the people 
 
 Builds a temple for the free; 
 And the drama is enacted 
 
 On our temple's ample stage 
 Of the dreams of greatest poets 
 
 Of a new and better age. 
 
 [14I 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 If you are already wakened 
 
 You can see the East adorning, 
 You can see the world rejoicing 
 
 With the rosy hues of morning; 
 If you listen most intently 
 
 You can hear the morning lay 
 Of the birds already singing 
 
 Of the new and dawning day. 
 
 Dear Walt Whitman sang the prelude, 
 
 In prophetic new world songs, 
 Of a better age before us 
 
 That will right the old world's wrongs; 
 And he told us our achievements 
 
 In the proud and glorious past 
 Were but faint and feeble tuning 
 
 For melodious songs at last. 
 
 And the prophet bard of Concord 
 
 Sang of a transition time, 
 Training us at last to listen 
 
 To the everlasting chime; 
 And he taught a high religion 
 
 That, without a tinge of sadness, 
 Is as sweet as a May morning, 
 
 And as full of joy and gladness. 
 
 [15] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 We have been asleep, my brothers, 
 
 And but dreaming in the night. 
 When we thought we were mere worldlings 
 
 And devoid of heavenly light; 
 When we thought that Mammon worship, 
 
 Selfish strife or sordid greed, 
 Could bring joy or satisfaction. 
 
 Or supply our greatest need. 
 
 But the rising sun of wisdom, 
 
 Making darkness fade away. 
 And the music of the warblers. 
 
 Ushering in the glad new day. 
 Will awake to its real purpose 
 
 The divine and God-like part. 
 The creative fire and genius. 
 
 Slumbering deep in every heart. 
 
 And when men have once awakened 
 
 To the beauty of God's plan, 
 And the God-like strength and grandeur 
 
 Of a self-reliant man. 
 Our old earth will be invested 
 
 With celestial charm and spell. 
 And, in tune with God*s great purpose, 
 
 Men will know that all is well. 
 
 [i6] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 When men think our Hfe a riddle 
 
 They are hampered in the strife, 
 When they see its worth and meaning 
 
 They are filled with buoyant life; 
 Every age which doubt enfeebles 
 
 Bathes our earth in gloomy night. 
 Every age which faith ennobles 
 
 Is a day of joyous light. 
 
 And I like that ancient fable 
 
 Of the lion reared with sheep, 
 While he thought himself a lambkin 
 
 His real nature was asleep, 
 But the self-deluded lion 
 
 Was a weakling lamb no more 
 When his face the river mirrored 
 
 And he heard the lion's roar. 
 
 So in self-deluded man 
 
 Is a mighty strength concealed, 
 Till to him his soul is mirrored 
 
 And the God within revealed; 
 Then he is no more a weakling. 
 
 But with faith in self elate 
 Gains in struggle strength and courage 
 
 And is master of his fate. 
 
 [17] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 For the man with mind illumined, 
 
 Who has learned the better way, 
 Will be strong and face life's struggles 
 
 With the glee of boys at play; 
 Like strong swimmer he will buffet 
 
 Waves of care with joyous thrill. 
 Like an athlete he will glory 
 
 In the climb of life's steep hill. 
 
 Matching strength in joyous struggle 
 
 Is the play of healthy boys, 
 Matching fate with buoyant spirit 
 
 Gives strong men triumphant joys; 
 For the world was planned with wisdom 
 
 And when men are truly wise 
 They keep step with God's glad music 
 
 And to noble raptures rise. 
 
 Ignorance, like night's dark mantle. 
 
 Shrouds our earth in fear and gloom, 
 But when sun of wisdom rises 
 
 Flowers of hope and joy will bloom; 
 And the dawning day of wisdom. 
 
 Which already gilds the peaks, 
 Will drive darkness from each bosom 
 
 And reveal the peace it seeks. 
 
 [i8] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 As our lives grow pure and simple 
 
 Inspiration from above 
 Fills our hearts with gladsome knowledge 
 
 That our earth is ruled by Love, 
 And that we are God's own children, 
 
 Nurtured with most tender care, 
 And are only grieved and chastened 
 
 That our lives may grow more fair. 
 
 Then whatever may befall us 
 
 We are sure is for the best, 
 And in faith and sweet contentment 
 
 Our uneasy hearts find rest; 
 We are hindered on life's journey 
 
 Till our hearts all doubt dispel. 
 And we lose our heavy burdens 
 
 When we know that all is well. 
 
 Being children of one Father 
 
 It is clear that we are brothers 
 And best show our heavenly birthright 
 
 When we love and care for others; 
 When we learn this simple lesson 
 
 And are kind to every man, 
 We are doing much to hasten 
 
 The success of God's great plan. 
 
 [19] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 When we help a struggling brother 
 
 And can make his burden lighter, 
 When we cheer him on his journey 
 
 And can make the world look brighter, 
 We are showing him the value 
 
 Of the world's most sacred story. 
 We are lighting up earth's darkness 
 
 With a ray of heaven's glory. 
 
 0, how happy are the hearts 
 
 Who in sorrow's school have learned 
 That for every aching heart 
 
 Joy is surely being earned! 
 Who by suffering nobly borne, 
 
 And by wealth of ripening years, 
 Catch a glimpse of life's sweet meaning 
 
 Sparkling even in its tears! 
 
 For the man of many summers. 
 
 Whom ripe wisdom fills with joy. 
 Adds to youth's ecstatic visions. 
 
 And the wonder of a boy, 
 A mature and mellow knowledge 
 
 That can see in sin and sorrow 
 Unripe joy and budding wisdom 
 
 For the harvest of to-morrow. 
 
 [20] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 Then he listens more intently 
 
 To the wisdom of the sages, 
 And he finds a joyous answer 
 
 To the riddle of the ages; 
 For he learns that evolution 
 
 Is a secret of God's plan, 
 And that progress to perfection 
 
 Is the destiny of man. 
 
 And he sees that every brother, 
 
 Though his sins are dark in hue, 
 Is most surely marching onward 
 
 To enjoy the good and true; 
 And his brother still may loiter. 
 
 Or may hasten on the way, 
 But he cannot miss good fortune 
 
 On some glad and glorious day. 
 
 And his heart is filled w^ith music. 
 
 For he hears a holy strain 
 That explains all seeming discord 
 
 And the blessedness of pain; 
 'Tis the everlasting melody, 
 
 The glad music of the spheres. 
 And it drives away all sadness 
 
 From the ripened heart that hears. 
 
 [21] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 And his world is filled with beauty, 
 
 And his heart is full of joy, 
 For his answer to life's problem 
 
 Leaves him nothing to annoy; 
 So light-hearted and courageous 
 
 He performs each task at hand, 
 Lending glad and willing service 
 
 To promote a scheme so grand. 
 
 In the dawning day of Greece 
 
 Orpheus, with his golden lyre, 
 Wakened men to see life's beauty 
 
 And set frozen hearts on fire; 
 But still loftier strains of music 
 
 Shall the age of wisdom sing. 
 For the melody of heaven 
 
 To the earth our bards shall bring. 
 
 In the rigorous school of life 
 
 Some hard lessons must be learned, 
 But when every task is mastered 
 
 Peace and freedom will be earned; 
 And we may be always cheerful 
 
 And each rugged task enjoy. 
 If we know life's glorious purpose 
 
 And our God-like strength employ. 
 
 [22] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 As the meaning of the seed, 
 
 In imprisoning earth concealed, 
 Is the giant, branching tree. 
 
 Which in time will be revealed, 
 So the purpose of our Hfe, 
 
 Fettered in this world of tears, 
 Is that seed divine may grow 
 
 Till the perfect man appears. 
 
 And we do not see the purpose 
 
 Of our life upon this earth 
 Till we throw upon the problem 
 
 The side-light of our rebirth; 
 For the span of one brief life 
 
 Is by far too short a time 
 For a man to learn life's lessons 
 
 And its rugged heights to climb. 
 
 Then we see by intuition 
 
 Man must pass through many plights 
 And must live out many lifetimes 
 
 Ere he climbs to wisdom's heights; 
 And we see the ancient Path 
 
 That so many saints have trod 
 As they climbed the Mount of Knowledge 
 
 Leading up from man to God. 
 
 [23] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 In the journey of the soul 
 
 From the savage to the saint 
 Many lifetimes must be spent 
 
 Till we live without complaint; 
 When we graduate from school, 
 
 And all lessons have been learned, 
 When the soul has grown and ripened. 
 
 Then our freedom we have earned. 
 
 For our world is not a Chaos, 
 
 But a Cosmos full of beauty. 
 And we climb towards life's high summit 
 
 As we tread the path of duty; 
 In this world of law and order 
 
 We shall reap whatever we sow. 
 And by sowing seeds of virtue 
 
 A rich harvest we may grow. 
 
 In the day that now is dawning. 
 
 In the age that lies ahead, 
 Men will strive for heavenly wisdom 
 
 More than merely earthly bread; 
 They will welcome a spare diet 
 
 And in simple dress be clad, 
 If their souls may gain in wisdom 
 
 And their hearts be made more glad. 
 
 [Hi 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 They will take a hint from prophets, 
 
 From the poets and the sages, 
 From the men whose lives have counted. 
 
 From the wise of all the ages. 
 And will gain by simple living 
 
 Leisure for high contemplation 
 On the meaning and the purpose 
 
 Of God's wonderful creation. 
 
 And, in turn, this contemplation 
 
 Will create an inner sight 
 That will lead to higher knowledge 
 
 And will guide their lives aright; 
 For their eyes will have the vision 
 
 That makes prophets see the truth 
 And fills poets with the rapture 
 
 That predicts immortal youth. 
 
 For the pure and simple minded 
 
 Only see the highest truth; 
 They alone respond to beauty 
 
 With the innocence of youth; 
 Saints and sages with the wisdom 
 
 Which long suffering has gained 
 Come again to youth's bright visions, — 
 
 For these dreams have been attained. 
 
 [25] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 In the journey of the ages 
 
 We have reached transition stage; 
 Failure of our Mammon worship 
 
 Has prepared for simpler age; 
 Rising on the wrecks of time, 
 
 With mistake for stepping-stone, 
 The real grandeur of our nature 
 
 Is about to claim its own. 
 
 We shall build a nobler age; 
 
 Simpler tastes and wise desires, 
 Which a higher wisdom brings, 
 
 In our breasts shall kindle fires 
 Which shall light the world with beauty 
 
 And shall warm men's fainting hearts 
 With the courage and the cheer 
 
 Nobly to perform their parts. 
 
 In the passing age of doubt. 
 
 In the dying day of greed. 
 Have we not our lessons learned? 
 
 Have these things supplied our need.? 
 Can this age of selfish strife, 
 
 With the dollar on the throne. 
 With religion in the background. 
 
 For our blood and guile atone .f* 
 
 [26] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 Look upon the world-wide war 
 
 Which the dying age has brought, 
 Might we not expect such outcome 
 
 From an age which gold has bought? 
 Is it not the awful harvest 
 
 Of an age of greedy strife ? 
 Is it not the fitting climax 
 
 Of an age of Godless life ? 
 
 Then behold the war of classes 
 
 Which the age of greed has brought, 
 Contemplate the dreadful havoc 
 
 That a Godless age has wrought; 
 Think how greed and irreligion 
 
 Make us prey on one another, 
 And, that we in ease may fatten. 
 
 Make us starve a human brother. 
 
 When we tire of being worldlings 
 
 And have had enough of greed. 
 When external comforts fail us 
 
 And we feel religion's need. 
 When our outer wealth proves empty 
 
 And we long for inner joys. 
 We shall break our age's idols 
 
 And shall fling away its toys. 
 
 [27] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 The new age will be religious 
 
 In a true and glorious way 
 That will fill the world with music 
 
 And of work make joyous play; 
 For the gospel of glad tidings 
 
 Will at last be understood, 
 And discerning God's great purpose 
 
 Men will see that all is good. 
 
 They will see this world is fitted 
 
 As a school for growing souls, 
 And is full of tests and trials 
 
 Leading up to higher goals; 
 They will see God's hand is leading. 
 
 Through this maze of care and crime. 
 His dear children, with wise guidance 
 
 To a destiny sublime. 
 
 The new man will be courageous. 
 
 For his faith will make him strong; 
 He will glory in his burdens 
 
 And will journey with a song; 
 Faith and courage will make joyous 
 
 Struggles which fear makes with pain. 
 And in making joyous struggle 
 
 A new strength his soul will gain. 
 
 [28] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 We shall taste of sorrow's sweetness, 
 
 And, with joy, the cross shall know, 
 Which our blessed Master hallowed 
 
 When he bore the whole world's woe; 
 Sacrifice is joyous giving, 
 
 And the wine of love we gain 
 When our hearts are crushed and mellowed 
 
 In the grinding-mill of pain. 
 
 And the Buddha's loving heart. 
 
 Which the world's sad suffering crushed, 
 As he wept with all his brothers. 
 
 Found, at last, all sadness hushed; 
 Listening long, beneath the Bo tree. 
 
 To the inner heart of things. 
 He was lumined with the gladness 
 
 Which celestial wisdom brings. 
 
 Joy will come in this fresh morning. 
 
 With her brush of blushing light. 
 And will paint hope's gorgeous colors 
 
 On the gloomy clouds of night; 
 Then the song birds will awaken 
 
 And will tell of day begun. 
 And our drowsy eyes will open 
 
 To the glory of the sun. 
 
 [29] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 With revival of religion 
 
 Poetry will have rebirth, 
 And together these twin sisters 
 
 Will revive our drooping earth; 
 Fairest flowers again will blossom 
 
 Where foul weeds so long have flourished, 
 And the muse our age neglected 
 
 Will with choicest care be nourished. 
 
 While despised and much neglected 
 
 By commercial age now going, 
 In the better age before us, 
 
 For whose harvest we are sowing, 
 Poetry, with gossamer wings. 
 
 To the heavens will soar again, 
 And, with music there heard murmured. 
 
 Cheer the fainting hearts of men. 
 
 During vaunted age of science, 
 
 With our pride in worldly things. 
 In the dirt we have been crawling 
 
 And ignoring heavenly wings; 
 As some bird with strange delusion 
 
 From the earth might fail to rise. 
 So have men neglected pinions 
 
 Which might bear them to the skies. 
 
 [30] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 We shall have a glad awakening 
 
 To a more abundant life, 
 And inspired by art and beauty 
 
 Shall abandon sordid strife; 
 Love of nature will make poets 
 
 Of a nobler race of men, 
 And the beauty God has lavished 
 
 Shall be seen and loved again. 
 
 The soft music glad brooks murmur 
 
 Will no longer be unheard, 
 Nor dull ears neglect the rapture 
 
 Of each sweetly singing bird; 
 And love-letters God has written 
 
 In the flowers that deck the field 
 Will not come to heedless children 
 
 With their message unrevealed. 
 
 And the poetry of pastures 
 
 Shall no longer be unread, 
 Nor with silence of the forest 
 
 Shall our souls remain unfed; 
 Not in vain the morning's glory 
 
 Shall its inspiration bring. 
 Nor unheard by noisy world 
 
 Shall the stars their anthems sing. 
 
 [31] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 For the calmness of the forest 
 
 Our uneasy hearts shall feel, 
 And the beauty of the landscape 
 
 Into peaceful lives shall steal; 
 And, in turn, when nature struggles, 
 
 And the tempests rise and lower, 
 We will gather up our thunder 
 
 And respond with God-like power. 
 
 In earth's cozy nooks and corners. 
 
 Where exquisite flowerets bloom, 
 In wild woods by flowing rivers. 
 
 Men shall learn to lose their gloom; 
 Under fleecy clouds of summer. 
 
 When the blue of heaven is fair. 
 In the sunshine, on green carpets, 
 
 We shall leave our loads of care. 
 
 We shall use the outer sunshine 
 
 To make sunshine in the heart, 
 And repose we find in nature 
 
 To our souls we shall impart; 
 While at first our charming wood-path 
 
 Leads away from noisy marts. 
 It winds back to our dear brothers 
 
 Whom we greet with warmer hearts. 
 
 [32] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 When the sun, God's shining garment, 
 
 Is brought forth for His adorning. 
 And our sleeping earth is wakened 
 
 By the beauty of the morning, 
 Has this miracle of splendor, 
 
 Bringing a new day to birth. 
 Wakened in your slumbering bosom 
 
 Visions of a glad new earth? 
 
 When the West is banked with glory 
 
 By a gorgeous sunset glow. 
 And the twilight stoops to kiss you 
 
 As the stars begin to show, 
 Have you pondered on the meaning 
 
 Of this wonderful display 
 Till your quiet heart responded 
 
 With a glow that made you gay? 
 
 When the apple-blossoms open 
 
 In the fragrant month of May, 
 And the birds their rapture warble 
 
 While the woods with flowers are gay. 
 Did you ever hear the rustle 
 
 Of an angel's silken wing. 
 While your heart contained the heaven 
 
 Of which thrushes sweetly sing? 
 
 [33] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 When the magic wand of autumn 
 
 Conjures up its mystic haze, 
 And, with colors fetched from heaven. 
 
 Sets enchanted woods ablaze, 
 Has your heart become so quiet, 
 
 And so warmed by blazing earth, 
 That a vision still more wondrous 
 
 Gave your soul a glad rebirth? 
 
 So the children of the future 
 
 Shall become enlightened men 
 As at Nature's shrine they worship 
 
 And through joy are born again; 
 As their souls this nectar suck 
 
 From dear Mother Nature's breast 
 They shall grow in strength and beauty 
 
 And shall gain celestial rest. 
 
 And ten thousand charms of nature, 
 
 On prosaic ages wasted. 
 Will prove nectar of the gods 
 
 When poetic age has tasted; 
 The devoted love of nature 
 
 Will our hearts and lives attune. 
 And will lead to holy places 
 
 Where with God we may commune. 
 
 [34] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 For a golden age of silence 
 
 Will succeed our age of noise, 
 And the sweetness of seclusion 
 
 Will give men a quiet poise; 
 In the stillness of the silence 
 
 We shall hear God's gentle voice, 
 And with love and wisdom whispered 
 
 We shall make the world rejoice. 
 
 While this silence will bring wisdom, 
 
 We shall not like hermits live, 
 But the inner wealth we garner 
 
 It shall be our joy to give; 
 We shall listen in the silence 
 
 For a message from the skies. 
 And when God has whispered to us 
 
 From our musing we shall rise. 
 
 We shall bring to struggling brothers 
 
 The glad news we have been told, 
 And with faith and cheerful knowledge 
 
 We shall make our brothers bold; 
 For our grasping age is passing. 
 
 And we all shall learn ere long 
 That true rapture comes in giving, 
 
 As the bird pours forth its song. 
 
 [35] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 For the sun of heavenly wisdom, 
 
 Rising now in eastern sky, 
 Lighting clouds of human hatred 
 
 With the morning's rosy dye. 
 Is fulfilHng the glad tidings 
 
 Bards have told of coming good, 
 And is bringing joyous dawning 
 
 Of the day of brotherhood. 
 
 All great poets and true prophets, 
 
 Ever since the world began, 
 Have been singing in sweet rapture 
 
 Of the brotherhood of man; 
 Now that day at last is dawning 
 
 And our eyes with joy behold 
 The first streaks of rosy color 
 
 Prophesied by bards of old. 
 
 The black clouds of war and bloodshed, 
 
 Lingering on the morning sky. 
 Are the dark before the dawning 
 
 To the bard's discerning eye; 
 All the horror and the anguish 
 
 Of this fratricidal strife 
 Are but birth-pangs of the mother 
 
 Bringing the new age to life. 
 
 [36] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 For the clouds of war shall scatter, 
 
 And above the ruins wrought 
 Shall arise a nobler life 
 
 By the blood of martyrs bought; 
 On the wrecks of selfish ages, 
 
 Paid for by our present woe, 
 Fairer days and blissful life 
 
 Of the age of love shall grow. 
 
 And the men who now are dying 
 
 On the cruel battle field 
 Shall come back to reap the harvest 
 
 Which their deeds of courage yield 
 Towards the building for the future 
 
 Of the new and better time 
 When the head and heart combining 
 
 Shall produce an age sublime. 
 
 For the struggles of the ages 
 
 Have made strong the human mind, 
 And the ancient school of sorrow 
 
 Has trained hearts and made them kind; 
 Men are ready for the knowledge 
 
 Telling how on Path to rise 
 Through the lowly vale of sorrow 
 
 Up the mountain to the skies. 
 
 [37] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 O, how blessed is the union 
 
 When sweet Love and Knowledge wed, 
 And in symmetry are blended 
 
 A kind heart and knowing head ! 
 For as child of this glad marriage 
 
 Heavenly Wisdom shall be born, 
 And her smile of radiant beauty 
 
 Shall create earth's fairest morn! 
 
 Have you stood by open grave, 
 
 As your heart with grief was broken. 
 While such tender hearts surrounded, 
 
 And such loving words were spoken, 
 That your neighbors seemed like angels. 
 
 And you felt the coming birth, — 
 The already dawning day, — 
 
 Of good will and peace on earth ? 
 
 When misfortune, with dark mantle. 
 
 Clouds with grief some happy land. 
 Have you heard the world's compassion 
 
 Swell in chorus sweet and grand ? 
 Have you noticed, in such hour. 
 
 With what tender, human pleasure. 
 To bind up the broken hearts, 
 
 The whole world pours forth its treasure? 
 
 [38] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 Then your kindled heart must tell you, 
 
 And your gladdened eyes behold, 
 That the day of love is dawning. 
 
 By the prophets long foretold. 
 Then you feel the glowing warmness 
 
 Rising sun of wisdom brings. 
 And, while wakened birds are warbling. 
 
 Your full heart with rapture sings. 
 
 0, how blissful, my dear brothers. 
 
 Shall the day of love arise. 
 As the sun mounts slowly upward 
 
 Through the warm and smiling skies! 
 As in balmy days of Springtime 
 
 Snow banks turn to banks of flowers. 
 So with love cold hearts will blossom 
 
 In these warm and sunny hours! 
 
 As this dawning day progresses. 
 
 And, at last, men are real brothers. 
 They shall find the holy grail. 
 
 And, in giving joy to others. 
 They shall sip from hallowed chalice 
 
 Sweetest nectar gods can drink, 
 And shall feel compassion's rapture, — 
 
 Sweetest thought that men can think. 
 
 [39] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 O, dear, tempted, troubled brother, 
 
 Summon up your higher-self! 
 Do not let your passions rule you! 
 
 Do not sell your soul for pelf! 
 For the battle is within you; 
 
 Heaven is also slumbering there; 
 Make a Pegasus of passions 
 
 And mount up to purer air. 
 
 You can win decisive battle 
 
 In the struggles of your breast; 
 Then a heaven will dawn within you 
 
 And your troubled heart find rest; 
 You can bring within your bosom 
 
 A new day of joy to birth; 
 You can help to hasten dawning 
 
 Of the day of love on earth. 
 
 Heal your aching heart by helping 
 
 Some dear brother in distress; 
 Garner wisdom from the sages 
 
 That you may know how to bless; 
 For if each of us would sweeten 
 
 With a little of love's leven, 
 Our old earth, with all it's trouble. 
 
 Would soon blossom into heaven. 
 
 [40] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 Have you drunk the skeptic poison 
 
 Of the passing age of doubt 
 Till your inner eyes are drowsy 
 
 And you only look without? 
 Has materialistic age, 
 
 With its miasmatic air, 
 Smothered all your intuition 
 
 Of the good, the true and fair? 
 
 Can you not believe in coming 
 
 Of a fairer age than this, 
 When in truth all men are brothers 
 
 And to live on earth is bliss? 
 Then go read the heavenly poets. 
 
 Who have gladdened every land, 
 And, awakened by sweet wisdom. 
 
 You, with joy, will understand. 
 
 While the day of brotherhood 
 
 Shall shine brightly everywhere. 
 It will dawn in its first splendor 
 
 On our land so free and fair; 
 When the hearts of men were ripening, 
 
 Our new world, by heavenly plan. 
 Was to mingle bloods of nations 
 
 For the making of new man. 
 
 [411 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 So to land of glowing hope, 
 
 Where glad Freedom's cradle rocked, 
 Men of strength and dauntless courage. 
 
 In youth's buoyancy, have flocked; 
 From each clime our welcome brothers 
 
 Have new gifts of virtue brought. 
 And new thoughts on life's deep meaning 
 
 Into glorious fabric wrought. 
 
 O, America, America, 
 
 Fairest daughter of the earth, 
 You were favored by the gods 
 
 And to Liberty gave birth! 
 O, dear Mother, blessed Mother, 
 
 You shall bear still holier child. 
 Who shall wield Love's gentle sceptre 
 
 And shall make the nations mild! 
 
 O, America, America, 
 
 You have nursed on loving breast 
 Sons of every race and nation 
 
 Seeking shelter and sweet rest! 
 O, dear Mother, blessed Mother, 
 
 So affectionate and good, 
 God has chosen you for rearing 
 
 Of fair child of Brotherhood! 
 
 [42] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 O, America, America, 
 
 Through your faith and firm belief, 
 You are building Love's fair temple 
 
 For a suffering world's relief! 
 O, dear Mother, blessed Mother, 
 
 For mild tolerance you have stood, 
 And this bud shall sweetly blossom 
 
 Into flower of Brotherhood! 
 
 O, America, America, 
 
 God has chosen you to show 
 How on fertile soil of friendship 
 
 Sweet compassion's flower may grow! 
 O, dear Mother, blessed Mother, 
 
 By your kindness to our brothers 
 You shall teach the joy of giving, — 
 
 The sweet bliss of helping others! 
 
 And the rising Sun of Splendor 
 
 That shall light this dawning day, 
 And with genial warmth and gladness 
 
 Shall chase gloomy night away, 
 Shall be Teacher with a message 
 
 From the land beyond the skies, 
 And celestial love and wisdom 
 
 Shall shine forth from beaming eyes. 
 
 [43] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 A new testament of love 
 
 By His Messenger God shall send, 
 And with melody and rapture 
 
 The sad age of doubt shall end; 
 And this gospel for new era, 
 
 With ideals new and good, 
 Shall begin the happy morning 
 
 Of the day of Brotherhood. 
 
 He will be our Elder Brother, 
 
 Who has passed along the road, 
 Who knows all our heavy burdens 
 
 And would help us with our load; 
 The same Master of Compassion 
 
 Who, two thousand years ago, 
 With the gospel of glad tidings 
 
 Set the world with love aglow. 
 
 He has told us He would come 
 
 When the world should need His care, 
 And the ripening of this age 
 
 Should again the way prepare; 
 He has heard the cr}^ of need 
 
 From a world in sad distress 
 And His tender heart is yearning 
 
 Soon again our world to bless. 
 
 [44] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 He is coming! He is coming! 
 
 We can feel His presence near, 
 And the echo of His footsteps 
 
 On the mountain-side can hear; 
 We are favored, my dear brothers. 
 
 In these wondrous times to live, 
 When to make His path less stony 
 
 Loving service we may give. 
 
 Let us then, my dear, dear brothers, 
 
 With all haste prepare the way 
 That the Master's feet shall hallow 
 
 In this sweet, millennial day; 
 Countless as the leaves of forest 
 
 May His glad disciples be 
 When again from hatred's thraldom 
 
 Suffering world He comes to free. 
 
 May we gain the heavenly knowledge 
 
 That can light earth's darkest day; 
 May love's flame with holy fire 
 
 Burn all selfishness away; 
 Then the Master we shall welcome. 
 
 And His Kingdom understand, 
 When again He comes to make 
 
 The whole world a Holy Land. 
 
 [45] 
 
THE SONG OF A DAWNING DAY 
 
 For all down the troubled ages, 
 
 While the world was growing wise, 
 God has sent His holy Teachers 
 
 With a message from the skies; 
 And sweet bards and blessed prophets 
 
 Have foretold, in heavenly song. 
 The new age and new religion 
 
 That should help to right earth's wrong. 
 
 As the birds, before the dawning, 
 
 While the sky is dark and grey. 
 With soft notes of flute-like music 
 
 Prophesy the coming day. 
 So our hearts, with intuition. 
 
 Though the night seems dark and long, 
 Feel the rosy glow of morning 
 
 And would herald it in song. 
 
 As one bird, and then another, 
 
 Pipes his praises to the morn. 
 And all join in swelling chorus 
 
 When in splendor day is born. 
 So we sing of earth's new morning 
 
 As we waken, one by one. 
 And shall swell triumphant chorus 
 
 At the rising of the Sun. 
 
 [46] 
 
PRINTED BY R. E. DONNELLEY 
 AND SONS COMPANY AT THE 
 LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL. 
 
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