Daniel

IMPERIAL Persia bowed to his wise sway—

A hundred provinces his daily care;

A queenly city with its gardens fair

Smiled round him—but his heart was far away,

Forsaking pomp and power “three times a day.”

For chamber lone, he seeks his solace there;

Through windows opening westward floats his prayer

Towards the dear distance where Jerusalem lay,

So let me morn, noon, evening, steal aside

And shutting my heart’s door to earth’s vain pleasure

And manifold solicitudes, find leisure

The windows of my soul to open wide

Towards that blest city and that heavenly treasure

Which past these visible horizons hide.