No burden ever had I That I would not have had; Though times there were when I thought never again To look up to heaven and be glad. For, groaning and struggling on With the throngs that laden go, I saw, by the pack on my neighbor's back, That mine was the lighter woe. Unladen, heedless, unbent, I never had known That the fardel borne by each wight forlorn Held something that was my own; Something he bore for me With a patient ignorance, While my footprints lay as a blur on his way, And hindered his soul's advance. Just it was that on me Some sorrow should fall; No trouble alone is the trouble of one, But each has a share in all. And if on my aching neck Another his burden laid, Strength given for his day then he threw away, Wherewith I was stronger made. I know that we are not here For our selfish ease; The kingliest One that the earth has known Lived not Himself to please. And they who have learned of Him How a burden can give rest, And joyfully share the great human care, -- They have learned life's secret best. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LOON ON FORRESTER'S POND by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE BLUEBELL by EMILY JANE BRONTE DUNS SCOTUS'S OXFORD by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS SONNET: TO FANNY by JOHN KEATS A RHYME by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE TIPPERARY: 5. BY OUR OWN EUGENE FIELD by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |