I had walked life's path with an easy tread, Had followed where comfort and pleasure led; And then one day in a quiet place I met the Master, face to face. With station and rank and wealth for a goal, Much thought for the body, but none for the soul, I had thought to win in life's mad race, When I met the Master, face to face. I had built my castles and reared them high, Till their towers pierced the blue of the sky; I had vowed to rule with an iron mace, When I met the Master, face to face. I met Him and knew Him, and blushed to see That eyes full of sorrow were turned on me; And I faltered, and fell at His feet that day, While all my castles melted away-- Melted and vanished, and in their place I saw nought else but my Master's face; And I cried aloud: "Oh, make me meet To follow the path of Thy wounded feet." And now my thoughts are for the souls of men; I've lost my life, to find it again. E'er since that day in a quiet place I met the Master, face to face. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HE GIVES HIS BELOVED CERTAIN RHYMES by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE QUEEN'S RIDE; AN INVITATION by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE FOUR SEASONS by PHILIP AYRES TO THE GALLIC EAGLE by BERNARD BARTON VERSES IN A WATCH by WILLIAM CZAR BRADLEY TO K. H. by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN THE WANDERER: 2. IN FRANCE: PROGRESS by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |