The Poetry Corner

The Ark And The Dove.

By H. P. Nichols

A rain once fell upon the earth For many a day and night, And hid the flowers, the grass, the trees, The birds and beasts, from sight. The deep waves covered all the land, And mountain-tops so high; And nothing could be seen around, But water, and the sky. But yet there was one moving thing,-- A still and lonely ark,-- That, many a weary day and night, Sailed o'er that ocean dark. At last, a little dove was forth From that lone vessel sent; But, wearied, to the ark again, When evening came, she bent. Again she went, but soon returned, And in her beak was seen A little twig--an olive-branch-- With leaves of shining green. The waters sank, and then the dove Flew from the ark once more, And came not back, but lived among The tree-tops, as before. Then from the ark they all came forth, With songs of joy and praise; And once again the green earth smiled Beneath the sun's warm rays.