The Prophets and the Saints forever keep Crying their cry of, "Live! Have Courage! Live! The cisterns of our misery flow deep: Deeper flows joy -- Have Faith! Have Courage! Live!" I only, I, the worm who drank the blood Of Satan when he fell, Have from eternity this cry withstood, Out of the pit of hell. Courage? What is it but the old illusion Forged by the sly Life-stream To lure its creatures on to new confusion From world-dream to world-dream. I, the worm coiled in Demogorgon's brain, I, who saw Lucifer Hurled from the highest heaven, alone remain Indifferent to this stir. Not noble, not heroic, only fools, Are they who "accept life" With gallant catchwords borrowed from the schools Of philosophic strife. Too many gods have I seen born and die. Hold ye your peace -- This "courage" will pass too. O latest Raiment of the eternal Lie, Snug 'mid your rags I yet shall spit at you! I, who saw fall from heaven the Morning's Son Whom his own strength sufficed, I, who lie coiled forever on the Stone Where they entombed the Christ, Am not to be deceived if, -- after Pride And Love, -- men credence give To the Illusion that puts both aside; And cries, "Have Courage! Live!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JOHANNA PEDERSEN by KAREN SWENSON THE LIGHT'OOD FIRE by JOHN HENRY BONER RAIN-SONGS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE SCHRECKHORN by THOMAS HARDY NATURAL HISTORY by MOTHER GOOSE |