AH, who can tell which guide were best To truth long sought, but unattained -- The early faith, or late unrest? What age has earned, or boyhood gained? When down life's vista as we gaze, Where vanished youth's remembered gleam, The radiance of the unconscious days -- The dream that knew not 't was a dream -- The time ere yet the shades of doubt Before our steps crept lengthening on, And morn and noon spread all about Their warm and flagrant benison -- Was this a vision of the mind That comes but once and disappears? And can our riper wisdom find A clearer path in after years? The lore of philosophic age, The legendary creed of youth -- Say which should trace upon life's page The book-mark of the surest truth? Ah, question not. The unconscious life That leaps to its spontaneous deed Alone can harmonize the strife Between the impulse and the deed. Through dark and light -- through change on change The planet-soul is pledged to move, Steeped all along its spinning range In sunshine born of thought and love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RAT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES COMMEMORATION ODE READ AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE TOKEN by FRANK TEMPLETON PRINCE GOOD FRIDAY (1) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER: JULY by EDMUND SPENSER SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 21. THE WORLD'S MARRIAGE MORN by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) BROADCAST by KATHARINE LEE BATES |