Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CONTENT, by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL Poet's Biography First Line: What wouldst thou be Subject(s): Contentment | ||||||||
"'WHAT wouldst thou be?' A wavelet just rising from life's wide sea. I would I were once again a child, Like a laughing floweret on mountains wild; In the fairy realms of fancy dwelling, The golden moments for sunbeams selling; Ever counting on bright to-morrows, And knowing nought of unspoken sorrows: Such would I be, A sparkling cascade of untiring glee." 1860. Not so, not so! For longings change as the full years flow. When I had but taken a step or two From the fairy regions still in view; While their playful breezes fanned me still At every pause on the steeper hill, And the blossoms showered from every shoot, Showered and fell, and yet no fruit, It was grief and pain That I never could be a child again. Not so, not so! Back to my life-dawn I would not go. A little is lost, but more is won, As the sterner work of the day is done. We forget that the troubles of childish days Were once gigantic in morning haze. There is less of fancy, but more of truth, For we lose the mists with the dew of youth; And a rose is born On many a spray which seemed only thorn. Not so, not so! While the years of childhood glided slow, There was all to receive and nothing to give: Is it not better for others to live? And happier far than merriest games Is the joy of our new and nobler aims: Then fair fresh flowers, now lasting gems; Then wreaths for a day, but now diadems, Forever to shine, Bright in the radiance of Love Divine. Not so, not so! I would not again be a child, I know! But were it not pleasant again to stand On the border-line of that fairy land, -- Feeling so buoyant and blithe and strong, Fearing no slip as we bound along, Halting at will in the sunshine to bask, Deeming the journey an easy task, While Courage and Hope Smooth with "Come, see, and conquer" each emerald slop? Not so, not so! Less leaping flame, but a deeper glow! There is more of sorrow, but more of joy, Less glittering ore, but less alloy; There is more of pain, but more of balm, And less of pleasure, but more of calm; Many a hope all spent and dead, But higher and brighter hopes instead; Less risked, more won; Less planned and dreamed, but perhaps more done. Not so, not so! Not in stature and learning alone we grow. Though we no more look from year to year For power of mind more strong and clear, Though the table-land of life we tread, No widening views before us spread, No sunlit summits to lure ambition, But only the path of a daily mission. We would not turn Where the will-o'-the-wisps of our young dreams burn. Then be it so! For in better things we yet may grow. Onward and upward still our way, With the joy of progress from day to day; Nearer and nearer every year To the visions and hopes most true and dear; Children still of a Father's love, Children still of a home above! Thus we look back, Without a sigh, o'er the lengthening track. 1867. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PARTHENOPHE: SONNET 66 by BARNABE BARNES I UNCOIL MYSELF AND LIE STRAIGHT OUT by DAVID IGNATOW WITHOUT RECRIMINATION by DAVID IGNATOW EVENTIDE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL by DORIANNE LAUX TO TWO UNKNOWN LADIES by AMY LOWELL CONSECRATION HYMN by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL I DID THIS FOR THEE! WHAT HAST THOU DONE FOR ME? by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL A BIRTHDAY GREETING TO MY FATHER, 1860 by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL |
|