BESIDE that milestone where the level sun, Nigh unto setting, sheds his last, low rays On word and work irrevocably done, Life's blending threads of good and ill outspun, I hear, O friends! your words of cheer and praise, Half doubtful if myself or otherwise. Like him, who, in the old Arabian joke, A beggar slept and crowned Caliph woke. Thanks not the less. With not unglad surprise I see my life-work through your partial eyes; Assured, in giving to my home-taught songs A higher value than of right belongs, You do but read between the written lines The finer grace of unfulfilled designs. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DAY IS DONE by PHOEBE CARY ONE PERSON: 16 by ELINOR WYLIE FELDMESTEN OR MEASURING THE GRAVES by ALTER ABELSON SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 13 by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) IN THAT DAY by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON TAKE IT FROM FATHER by BERTON BRALEY |