STERN, unexpecting good, unbent by wrong, I travel onward through this gloomy scene, With brow of sorrow, yet erect in mien; Meek to the humble, in defiance strong, To folly's, envy's, hatred's, falsehood's throng: Yet knowing that the birth and grave between There ever will, as ever there have been, Be friendships fickle, warfares deep and long! If I have taught the truths of wisdom's lore, If I have drawn the secrets of the heart, And raised the glow that mounts o'er grief and ill -- In my plain verse though bloom no single flower, And not a ray of wit its lustre dart, Its naked strength o'er death will triumph still! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SNOW-SHOWER by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT OBERON'S FEAST by ROBERT HERRICK THE SORROW OF LOVE (2) by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS COMPANIONSHIP by MABEL WARREN ARNOLD MIRACLE by LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY MY ALPENSTOCK by HENRY GLASSFORD BELL LIFE AND DEATH by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE |