Life laid upon his forehead a caress And, smiling, gave him for his birthright dower, Humor and judgment, passion, purpose, power, And gifts of vision, pure and limitless: Then, -- for she ever tempers man's success, Nursing the canker in Earth's fairest flower, -- She added pain; and taught him, hour by hour, To know that only blessed which doth bless! So, following the Gleam from early youth, He lent a strengthening hand, and gave his heart, And aided feet, less sure than his, to climb: He sacrificed not others to his art, But worshipped beauty with unselfish truth, And lives, the well-beloved of his time! |