LAUDAMUS 



The Lord shall slay or the Lord shall save ! 

 He is righteous whether He save or slay — 

 Brother! give thanks for the gifts He gave, 

 Though the gifts He gave He hath taken 



away — 

 Shall we strive for that which is nothing ? 

 Nay. 

 Shall we hate each other for that which fled ? 



She is but a marvel of modell'd clay, 

 And the smooth, clear white, and the soft, 

 pure red 

 That we coveted, shall endure no day. 



Was it wise or well that I hated you 

 For the fruit that hung too high on the 

 tree ? — 



For the blossom out of our reach that grew 

 Was it well or wise that you hated me ? — 

 My hate has flown, and your hate shall 

 flee. 



Let us veil our faces like children chid — 

 Can that violet orb we swore by see 



Through that violet-vein'd, transparent lid ? — 



Now the Lord forbid that this strife should be. 



277 



