Every year's a hidden mine; Stoutly up, and work it! What though anxious toil is thine? Never think to shirk it. Half the mine, as I am told, Harbors dust and ashes; Half the mine is precious gold, -- Ah, how bright it flashes! Sink the shaft of Lazy Mind, (What a dreadful bore, sir!) Dust and ashes you will find, That, and nothing more, sir! Sink the shaft of Earnest Heart, -- Lo, the treasure glances, Gleaming gay in every part Where your pick advances! See, my lad, the New-Year Mine Bright with promise-flashes! Will you dig for treasure fine, Or only dust and ashes? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRELUDE; FOR GEOFFREY GORER by EDITH SITWELL A THOUGHT SUGGESTED BY A VIEW, OF SADDLEBACK IN CUMBERLAND by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE PRELUDES: 1-4 (COMPLETE) by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT THE SONG OF HIAWATHA: HIAWATHA'S FASTING by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE PHILOSOPHER by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE BIRTH SONG OF CHRIST by EDMUND HAMILTON SEARS ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 63 by PHILIP SIDNEY |