“Watchman, what of the night?... The morning cometh, and also the night."-
“WATCHMAN, what of the night?”
“It is gloomy, and thick, and dark:
Alas! wherever I turn my sight,
And seek for a faithful watcher's light,
I can scarcely discern a spark.
I hear the drunken reveler's cry,
The mocker's taunt, and the skeptic's lie;
But few believe that the Lord is nigh:
All is gloomy, and sad, and dark”
“Watchman, what of the night?”
“It is murky, and chill, and drear:
The lamps erst burning so clear and bright;
The hearts once glowing with warm delight,
At the hope that the Lord was near:
Many are quenched to burn no more;
Few are trimmed, and their luster pour:
Alas! the days of first-love are o'er;
All is murky, and chill, and drear.”
“Watchman, what of the night?”
“Oh, list!-'t is the midnight cry!
It fills the sleepers with joy, or fright;
These cheeks grow pale, and those eyes grow bright!
The Bridegroom, He draweth nigh!
The slumbering virgins from sleep awake;
The wise their lamps fresh-trimmed all take;
The knees of the foolish with terror quake,
At the sound of the midnight cry.”
“Watchman, what of the night?”
“The night is fast passing away;
The Morning-star, with effulgence bright,
Shall shortly burst on our raptured sight,
And usher the longed-for day.
He cometh! He cometh! awake! arise!
Behold! the Day-star illumines the skies;
Ye slumbering virgins, unveil your eyes,
The night is just passing away.”
“Watchman, what of the night?"....
The work of the watchman is o'er:
“The morning 's come, and also the night,”
Eternity's darkness-eternity's light.
' Inquire ye,... inquire ye no more.'
His word is ended, and work is done;
The marriage-supper is now begun;
The conflict over, the victory won:
The work of the watchman is o'er.