A HERMIT (or if 'chance you hold That title now too trite and old), A man once young, who lived retired As hermit could have well desired, His hours of study closed at last, And finished his concise repast, Stoppled his cruse, replaced his book Within its customary nook, And, staff in hand, set forth to share The sober cordial of sweet air, Like Isaac, with a mind applied To serious thought at evening tide. Autumnal rains had made it chill, And from the trees that fringed his hill Shades slanting at the close of day Chilled more his else delightful way. Distant a little mile he spied A western bank's still sunny side, And right toward the favoured place Proceeding with his nimblest pace, In hope to bask a little yet, Just reached it when the sun was set. Your hermit, young and jovial sirs! Learns something from whate'er occurs, And "Hence," he said, "my mind computes The real worth of man's pursuits. His object chosen, wealth or fame, Or other sublunary game, Imagination to his view Presents it decked with every hue That can seduce him not to spare His powers of best exertion there, But youth, health, vigour to expend On so desirable an end. Ere long approach life's evening shades, The glow that fancy gave it fades; And, earned too late, it wants the grace That first engaged him in the chase." "True," answered an angelic guide, Attendant at the senior's side,-- "But whether all the time it cost To urge the fruitless chase be lost, Must be decided by the worth Of that which called his ardour forth. Trifles pursued, whate'er the event, Must cause him shame or discontent; A vicious object still is worse, Successful there, he wins a curse; But he whom, e'en in life's last stage, Endeavours laudable engage, Is paid at least in peace of mind, And sense of having well designed; And if, ere he attain his end, His sun precipitate descend, A brighter prize than that he meant Shall recompense his mere intent. No virtuous wish can bear a date Either too early or too late." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JOHN BURNS OF GETTYSBURG by FRANCIS BRET HARTE THE WOODLARK by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS UNDERWOODS: BOOK 1: 38 by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON HEINE'S GRAVE by MATTHEW ARNOLD SONNET OF FISHES by GEORGE BARKER TO CHILDREN: 4. THE FAIRY REALM by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE INDIAMAN by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN |