Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE COMMON LOT, by MARCUS S. C. RICKARDS



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE COMMON LOT, by                    
First Line: Call it not vain, this life
Last Line: Strength to prevail!
Subject(s): Beauty; Life; Nations; Night; Peace; Bedtime


CALL it not vain, this life
Teeming with care, and strife,
Change, decay, pain,
Sorrow spent, anguish kept,
Hope dispelled, tears unwept:
Ay, tho' the worst still slept,
Call it not vain!

Not while the seasons change,
Not till winds cease their range,
Till tides delay,
Till beasts, and birds of earth,
Sport in unshadowed mirth,
Till sad Night brings to birth
No chequered Day.

Nature of peace knows naught;
All is thro' tumult brought
Safe to its prime:
Reft of gloom, gale and snow
Adieu sweet meadow show!
Cowslips and violets blow
Mid tearful clime.

But for tempestuous seas
Calm barques might sleep at ease,
Havenward bound.
Genius, when storms are rife,
Blooms; and a nation's strife
Shapes the commanding life
All rally round.

Art's triumph ponder too,
Ye that crave ease, yet woo
Fame for her best!
Yon master-piece was born
Of sweet fond faith outworn --
Nursed in a heart forlorn --
Fed on unrest.

Beauty's supremest grace
Lurks in a chastened face;
Joy quenching ruth.
Love, that can scorn decay,
Knows more of cloud than ray --
Thro' hindrance fights its way,
Buying its truth.

Angels and Saints at rest!
Ye who decipher best
Life's puzzling tale;
Lend us, faint wrestlers here,
Vision full keen to peer,
Courage to persevere,
Strength to prevail!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net