The Reaper

All through the blood-red Autumn,     When the harvest came to the full;     When the days were sweet with sunshine,     And the nights were wonderful,--                     The Reaper reaped without ceasing.     All through the roaring Winter,     When the skies were black with wrath,     When earth alone slept soundly,     And the seas were white with froth,--                     The Reaper reaped without ceasing.     All through the quick of the Spring-time,     When the birds sang cheerily,     When the trees and the flowers were burgeoning,     And men went wearily,--                     The Reaper reaped without ceasing.     All through the blazing Summer,     When the year was at its best,     When Earth, subserving God alone,     In her fairest robes was dressed,--                     The Reaper reaped without ceasing.     So, through the Seasons' roundings,     While nature waxed and waned,     And only man by thrall of man     Was scarred and marred and stained,--                     The Reaper reaped without ceasing.     How long, O Lord, shall the Reaper     Harry the growing field?     Stretch out Thy Hand and stay him,     Lest the future no fruit yield!--                     And the Gleaner find nought for His gleaning.     Thy Might alone can end it,--     This fratricidal strife.     Our souls are sick with the tale of death,     Redeem us back to life!--                     That the Gleaner be glad in His gleaning.