But through all the years never any of men on the earth abiding + 

Hath found sure tokens from God to reveal + 

How he shall fare in the days to come, but in darkness hiding + 

Are the future’s warnings of woe or weal. + 

Many chances to men have befallen, yea, past all expectation: + 

Some plunge from joy into sorrow’s abyss; + 

And some, who have battled with troublous surges, by sudden mutation + 

Their anguish have changed for the height of bliss. + 