NOT the ship that swiftest saileth, But which longest holds her way Onward, onward, never faileth, Storm and calm, to win the day; Earliest she the haven gains, Which the hardest stress sustains. O'er life's ocean, wide and pathless, Thus would I with patience steer; No vain hope of journeying scathless, No proud boast to face down fear; Dark or bright his Providence, Trust in God be my defence. Time there was, -- 't is so no longer, -- When I crowded every sail, Battled with the waves, and stronger Grew, as stronger grew the gale; But my strength sunk with the wind, And the sea lay dead behind. There my bark had founder'd surely, But a power invisible Breathed upon me; -- then securely, Borne along the gradual swell, Helm and shrouds, and heart renew'd, I my humbler course pursued. Now, though evening shadows blacken, And no star comes through the gloom, On I move, nor will I slacken Sail, though verging towards the tomb: Bright beyond, -- on heaven's high strand, Lo, the lighthouse! -- land, land, land! Cloud and sunshine, wind and weather, Sense and sight are fleeing fast; Time and tide must fail together, Life and death will soon be past; But where day's last spark declines, Glory everlasting shines. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE VILLAGE by HAYDEN CARRUTH IF IT WERE NOT FOR YOU by HAYDEN CARRUTH TO TIME by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON JULY IN GEORGY by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON BOOTH'S PHILIPPI by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: BARNEY HAINSFEATHER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE CAMBODIAN BOX by KAREN SWENSON BALLAD MADE AT THE REQUEST OF HIS MOTHER .. PRAY TO OUR LADY by FRANCOIS VILLON |