Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1919 — THE CELESTIAL ARMY [ARTICLE]

THE CELESTIAL ARMY

I stood by the open casement And looked upon the night. And saw the west-ward going stars Pass slowly out of sight. Slowly the bright procession Went down the gleaming arch. And my soul discerned the music Of their long triumphal march. '**•* Till the great celestial army. Stretching far beyond the poles, Became the eternal symbol Of the mighty march of souls. Onward, forever onward. Red Mars led down his clan; And the moon, like a mailed maiden. Was riding in the van. And some were bright in beauty, And some were faint and small. But these might be in their great height The noblest of them all. Downward, forever downward. Behind Earth's dusky shore They passed into the unknown night. They passed and were no more. No more! Oh, say not so! And downward is not just; For the sight is weak and the sense is dim That looks through heated dust. The stars and the mailed moon, Though they seem to fall and die, Still sweep with their embattled line* An endless reach of sky. And though the hills of Death May hide the bright array. The marshaled brotherhood of soul* Still keeps its upward way. Upward, forever upward, I see their march sublime. And hear the glorious muslo Of the conquerors of Time. And long let me remember, That the palest, faintest one 'May to the diviner vision be A bright and blazing sun. —Thomas Buchanan Read.