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.