Classic and Contemporary Poetry
NOW, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER Poet's Biography First Line: Rise! For the day is passing Last Line: You may wake to find it past! Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary Subject(s): Activity; Courage; Time; Exercise; Valor; Bravery | ||||||||
RISE! for the day is passing, And you lie dreaming on; The others have buckled their armor, And forth to the fight are gone: A place in the ranks awaits you, Each man has some part to play; The Past and the Future are nothing, In the face of the stern To-day. Rise from your dreams of the Future, -- Of gaining some hard-fought field; Of storming some airy fortress, Or bidding some giant yield; Your Future has deeds of glory, Of honor (God grant it may!) But your arm will never be stronger, Or the need so great as To-day. Rise! if the Past detains you, Her sunshine and storms forget; No chains so unworthy to hold you As those of a vain regret: Sad or bright, she is lifeless ever; Cast her phantom arms away, Nor look back, save to learn the lesson Of a nobler strife To-day. Rise! for the day is passing; The sound that you scarcely hear Is the enemy marching to battle: -- Arise! for the foe is here! Stay not to sharpen your weapons, Or the hour will strike at last, When from dreams of a coming battle, You may wake to find it past! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UNLESS IT WAS COURAGE by MARVIN BELL THE QUALITY OF COURAGE by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET ON THE OREGON COAST; FOR WILLIAM STAFFORD by ROBERT BLY WORDS WITH WALLACE STEVENS by ROBERT BLY BUFFALO CLOUDS OVER THE MAESTRO HOON by NORMAN DUBIE A SONG OF COURAGE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE AUDACIOUS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON OH, THE WATER by DORIANNE LAUX A DOUBTING HEART by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER |
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