Yes, I too could face death and never shrink: But it is harder to bear hated life; To stive with hands and knees weary of strife; To drag the heavy chain whose every link Galls to the bone; to stand upon the brink Of the deep grave, nor drowse, though it be rife With sleep; to hold with steady hand the knife Nor strike home: this is courage as I think. Surely to suffer is more than to do: To do is quickly done; to suffer is Longer and fuller of heart-sicknesses: Each day's experience testifies of this: Good deeds are many, but good lives are few; Thousands taste the full cup; who drains the lees? -- | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS TO IRELAND IN THE COMING TIMES by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 21. YAKBUZU WA YABSUTU by EDWIN ARNOLD THE LILY OF THE VALLEY by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES PSALM 7; UPON WORDS OF CHUSH THE BENJAMITE; AUGUST 14, 1653 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |