Rejoice

    "Rejoice," said the Sun; "I will make thee gay
    With glory and gladness and holiday;
    I am dumb, O man, and I need thy voice!"
    But man would not rejoice.

    "Rejoice in thyself," said he, "O Sun,
    For thy daily course is a lordly one;
    In thy lofty place rejoice if thou can:
    For me, I am only a man."

    "Rejoice," said the Wind; "I am free and strong,
    And will wake in thy heart an ancient song;
    Hear the roaring woods, my organ noise!"
    But man would not rejoice.

    "Rejoice, O Wind, in thy strength," said he,
    "For thou fulfillest thy destiny;
    Shake the forest, the faint flowers fan;
    For me, I am only a man."

    "Rejoice," said the Night, "with moon and star,
    For the Sun and the Wind are gone afar;
    I am here with rest and dreaming choice!"
    But man would not rejoice;

    For he said--"What is rest to me, I pray,
    Whose labour leads to no gladsome day?
    He only can dream who has hope behind:
    Alas for me and my kind!"

    Then a voice that came not from moon or star,
    From the sun, or the wind that roved afar,
    Said, "Man, I am with thee--hear my voice!"
    And man said, "I rejoice."