@3'TIS a long lane that has no turning.@1 True. How long the lane that somewhere turns to you! Between the hedge of hopes, the hedge of fears, My feet have walked for more than twenty years, But still the road runs straight, and still I see Its narrowing line grow small in front of me. Sometimes I meet a pilgrim coming back With craven heart along the noble track. I never ask how far ahead he quailed; For he and I grew foemen when he failed. Onward I move, with this to cheer my mind: No one as yet has passed me from behind. I must not sit beside a lulling stream Unless it flows toward my dearest dream. I must not wince, when going past the farms, If Colin hold his milkmaid in his arms. The perfect eyes are those that cannot shine Their best till fed confusedly by mine. Suppose I live three heartbeats in their sight Before they melt to light concealed by light; Shall those not seem three ages of desire So paid as Love can never pay with fire? '@3Tis a long lane that has no turning.@1 True. How long the lane that somewhere turns to you! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPAIN IN AMERICA by GEORGE SANTAYANA A PRAYER FOR A VERY NEW ANGEL by VIOLET ALLEYN STOREY MAN AN' MOOSE by ROBERT ADAMSON (1832-) SOLILOQUY; NOVEMBER 11, 1928 by N. R. A. BECKER THE ACID TEST by BERTON BRALEY VITA BREVIS EST by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE by LUCRETIA MARIA DAVIDSON |