Henry Alford

Sonnet XXXII. On Hearing That It Is Supposed, From Astronomical Considerations, The World Is Yet In

So then the lessons of all--teaching Time Shall not be fruitless; but the sons of men Will live to ripen into age, and ken The hidden laws of God: the doubts and fears That flit around us, when the light appears, Shall cease to haunt us; and young Truth, by then Vigorous for good, shall take his power and reign, Nursed in the discipline of human tears. Oh, might I live when, from this stir of things That fills our days, some new and mighty birth Of purest mind hath risen upon the earth; Or when my spirit folds her weary wing Where no storm comes, watching with calm delight, On human beauty feed my angel--sight.