To us it seemed his life was too soon done, Ended, indeed, while scarcely yet begun; God, with His clearer vision, saw that he Was ready for a larger ministry. Just so we thought of Him, whose life below Was so full-charged with bitterness and woe, Our clouded vision would have crowned Him King, He chose the lowly way of suffering. Remember, too, how short His life on earth, -- But three-and-thirty years 'twixt death and birth. And of those years but three whereof we know, Yet those three years immortal seed did sow. It is not tale of years that tells the whole Of man's success or failure, but the soul He brings to them, the songs he sings to them, The steadfast gaze he fixes on the goal. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COAT OF FIRE by EDITH SITWELL TENEBRIS by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE SONNET: 17 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE A SONG TO DAVID by CHRISTOPHER SMART A DRINKING SONG by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS TITA'S TEARS; A FANTASY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH STANZAS TO AN AFFECTIONATE AND PIOUS PARENT, ON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD by BERNARD BARTON PSALM 141 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 33 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |