STERN, unexpecting good, unbent by wrong, I travel onward through this gloomy scene, With brow of sorrow, yet erect in mien; Meek to the humble, in defiance strong, To folly's, envy's, hatred's, falsehood's throng: Yet knowing that the birth and grave between There ever will, as ever there have been, Be friendships fickle, warfares deep and long! If I have taught the truths of wisdom's lore, If I have drawn the secrets of the heart, And raised the glow that mounts o'er grief and ill -- In my plain verse though bloom no single flower, And not a ray of wit its lustre dart, Its naked strength o'er death will triumph still! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHAMBER MUSIC: 15 by JAMES JOYCE A PARADOX by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON PEACE (2) by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MERELY STATEMENT by AMY LOWELL SUGGESTED BY THE COVER OF A VOLUME OF KEATS'S POEMS by AMY LOWELL |