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...THE MOTHER'S LAMENT by ST. CLAIR ADAMS THE MORAL FABLES: THE TALE OF THE COCK, AND THE JEWEL by AESOP IN THE WATER by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS ANNA BULLEN, ACT 1: SHORT CURSE by JOHN BANKS (17TH CENTURY-) THE ASYLUM by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE MESSENGER by WILLIAM ROSE BENET MAN WAS MADE TO MOURN by ROBERT BURNS |