The Soul's Quest and Other Poems

by Frederick George Scott

 

THE SKYLARK'S MESSAGE

 
SWEET little upturned faces,
    Poor little hands and feet,
Little eyes that are careworn and anxious
    From hunger and want in the street,
Hear ye that skylark singing
5
    Like an angel far away?
’Tis bringing to you a message
    From the Golden Gates of day.

Ah, little know ye of the meadows,
    Poor little blistered feet,
10
Down in the smoke of the city,
    Down in the noise of the street!
But it sings of a better country,
    Where tired little hearts can rest;
Of a sun that shines for ever,
15
    And the love of a Father’s breast.

O poor little weary spirits,
    I would that ye knew its song,
For the world is very heartless,
    And your journey may be long;
20
And ye need such heavenly music
    To cheer you in the night,
Little hearts that are now so noble,
    Little souls that are now so white.

I would that ye heard it always,
25
    That sweet bird’s voice within,
When the heart is sad and lonely
    In the long, long struggle with sin;
Till a rest comes out of the sunset
    For the labouring hands and feet,
30
And a silence has fallen for ever
    On the noise and the dust of the street.

London, 1883.