After

After the darkness, dawning,And stir of the rested wing;Fresh fragrance from the meadow,Fresh hope in everything!

After the winter, springtimeAnd dreams, that flower-like throng;After the tempest, silence;After the silence, song.

After the heat of anger.Love, that all life enwraps;After the stress of battle,The trumpet sounding "taps."

After despair and doubting,A faith without alloy,God here and over yonder,—The end of all things—joy!