Sonnet Ii Poem by John Bowring

'Peace!' shall the world out-wearied ever see
Its universal reign? Will states, will kings,
Put down those murderous and unholy things
Which fill the earth with blood and misery?
Will nations learn that love-not enmity-
Is heaven's first lesson-which beneath the wings
Of mercy, brooding over land and sea,
Fills earth with joy, by its soft ministerings?
'Twere a sad prospect-'twere a vista dark
As midnight-could this wearied mortal eye,
Thro' the dim mists that veil futurity,
Discern not that heaven-bright though distant spark,
Lighted by prophecy-whose ray sublime
Sheds a soft gleam of hope o'er the dull path of time.