Arise! this day shall shine,
For evermore,
To thee a star divine,
On Time's dark shore.
Till now thy soul has been
All glad and gay:
Bid it awake, and look
At grief to-day!
No shade has come between
Thee and the sun;
Like some long childish dream
Thy life has run:
But now the stream has reached
A dark, deep sea,
And Sorrow, dim and crowned,
Is waiting thee.
Each of God's soldiers bears
A sword divine:
Stretch out thy trembling hands
To-day for thine!
To each anointed Priest
God's summons came:
Oh, Soul, he speaks to-day
And calls thy name.
Then, with slow reverent step,
And beating heart,
From out thy joyous days,
Thou must depart.
And, leaving all behind,
Come forth, alone,
To join the chosen band
Around the throne.
Raise up thine eyes—be strong,
Nor cast away
The crown, that God has given
Thy soul to-day!