What compensation, then, hast thou to give To those obedient to thy command To take the rough, unbroken path; to stand True to the Higher in their souls; to live Adventurously, sail uncharted seas, Midst winds and storms and wrecks, while the wise say: "These extremists! To throw their lives away!"— What compensation, then, hast thou for these? These do not ask for wages, pay at all! Nor crowded barns to put at ease their souls! But deeper sense of having been alive! New light on rugged uplands, and a call, And strength and will to reach the distant goals, Then onward, ever onward, still, to strive. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TIE-DOWN OF A BONSAI by MARVIN BELL SUSSEX DRINKING SONG by HILAIRE BELLOC HAIL TEESSIDE! by CECIL DAY LEWIS YOUR WORLD by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SURFACES AND MASKS; 12 by CLARENCE MAJOR THE DOLL BELIEVERS by CLARENCE MAJOR SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: DIPPOLD THE OPTICIAN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |