ALTHOUGH upon the shore I seem A flake of foam in passing flight; Although my life is but a dream, Though I am only dust and night; Though I am but a lump of clay, A worm 'mid other human worms, Crushed 'neath the wheel which speeds away, The wheel which man 'To-morrow' terms; Though beneath Evil's fangs I lie; Though I am scorned, and weak, and bare; Though I am made of misery, And you of heavenly azure are;-- Dauntless in right you still confide, Immovable in trust and faith; Conscience! my sacred help and guide, You go before me e'en to Death! Ever prepared, you march before; You lead, I follow your command; Your face, Fate's veil is gathered o'er-- The lamp of God is in your hand. You say, 'Your cross you must abide; Rise up! Here is no resting-place.' You say, 'Your soul here you must hide'; You say, 'Step in the paths I trace.' You prefer life which sorrows steep, Mourning and gloom the friend we own; You smile when I am forced to weep, You sing when I am forced to groan. Lit by your torch, with rapture rife, I step by step, serene and brave, Through all the miseries of life, Pass downward to the silent grave. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO MY INCONSTANT MISTRESS by THOMAS CAREW THE BATTLE OF CHARLESTON HARBOR by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE GOD SAVE THE NATION! by THEODORE TILTON IMITATIONS OF SHAKESPEARE: PROGNE'S DREAM by JOHN ARMSTRONG CHANGING MOON by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN GLIMPSES OF CHILDHOOD: 2. IN THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON |