A SWEET white flower peeped
Up from a glade,
Laughingly tossed its bell
To the breeze that played,
Shrinkingly drooped and fell;--
Why did it fade?

The river rolled; a beam
Just glanced aside,
Making a thousand gems
As it touched the tide;
Hid in a darkling cloud;--
Why did it hide?

A mother watched her child
At play hard by,
Dreamt his fair future through
So lovingly,
At nightfall saw him die:--
Oh! why? Oh! why?

Tell me why sunshine pales
And disappears?
Why are there faded flowers
And mothers' tears?
Why are there babies' graves?
And wasted years?

One who hath spelt his way
To some great thought,
Through many a cloudy day
And fight hard fought,--
One who has learnt the law,
For ever one,
That tunes the children's mirth
And lights the sun,--
One with a purpose pure
As summer sky,
Whose human will with fate
Makes harmony,--
One who hath skill to scan
The sole vast-hearted plan
That blends all men in man,--
May whisper why.