DESPITE misfortune, poverty, the dearth Of simplest justice to his heart and brain, This gracious optimist lived not in vain; Rather, he made a partial Heaven of Earth; For whatsoe'er of pure and cordial birth In body or soul dawned on him, he was fain To bless and love, as an immortal gain A thing divine, of fair immaculate worth: -- The clearest, cleanest nature given to man In these, our latter days, methinks was his, With instincts which alone did bring him bliss; All life he viewed as one long, luminous plan Wherein God's love and wisdom meet and kiss, -- His sole brave creed, the creed Samaritan! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PALABRAS CARINOSAS (SPANISH AIR) by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH OZYMANDIAS REVISITED by MORRIS GILBERT BISHOP FAITH AND DESPONDENCY by EMILY JANE BRONTE NATURE'S QUESTIONING by THOMAS HARDY THE COMMON LOT by JAMES MONTGOMERY |