IF all the end of this continuous striving Were simply to attain, How poor would seem the planning and contriving The endless urging and the hurried driving Of body, heart and brain! But ever in the wake of true achieving, There shines this glowing trail-- Some other soul will be spurred on, conceiving, New strength and hope, in its own power believing, Because thou didst not fail. Not thine alone the glory, nor the sorrow, If thou doth miss the goal, Undreamed of lives in many a far to-morrow From thee their weakness or their force shall borrow-- On, on, ambitious soul. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MITHRIDATES by RALPH WALDO EMERSON WINTRY WEATHER by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861) THE NEW INN: A VISION OF BEAUTY by BEN JONSON SINCERE FLATTERY OF R.B. by JAMES KENNETH STEPHEN THE FORESTERS: NATIONAL SONG by ALFRED TENNYSON LEMNISCUS AD COLUMNAM S. SIMEONIS STYLITAE APPENSUS by JOSEPH BEAUMONT A LUNCHEON (THOMAS HARDY ENTERTAINS THE PRINCE OF WALES) by HENRY MAXIMILIAN BEERBOHM |