'TIS idle! we exhaust and squander The glittering mine of thought in vain. All-baffled reason cannot wander Beyond her chain. The flood of life runs dark -- dark clouds Make lampless night around its shore: The dead, where are they! In their shrouds -- Man knows no more. Evoke the ancient and the past, Will one illumining star arise? Or must the film, from first to last O'erspread thine eyes? When life, love, glory, beauty, wither, Will wisdom's page, or science chart, Map out for thee the region whither Their shades depart? Supposest thou the wondrous powers, To high imagination given, Pale types of what shall yet be ours, When earth is heaven? When this decaying shell is cold, Oh! sayest thou the soul shall climb What magic mount she trod of old, Ere childhood's time? And shall the sacred pulse that thrilled, Thrill once again to glory's name? And shall the conquering love that filled All earth with flame, Reborn, revived, renewed, immortal, Resume his reign in prouder might, A sun beyond the ebon portal Of death and night? No more, no more -- with aching brow, And restless heart, and burning brain, We ask the When, the Where, the How, And ask in vain. And all philosophy, all faith, All earthly -- all celestial lore, Have but one voice, which only saith Endure -- adore! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A POEM FOR MAX NORDAU by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON DUSK IN WAR TIME by SARA TEASDALE A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 6. CORRINA by THOMAS CAMPION MERCILES BEAUTE; A TRIPLE ROUNDEL: 1. CAPTIVITY by GEOFFREY CHAUCER THE COCK AND THE FOX, OR THE TALE OF THE NUN'S PRIEST by GEOFFREY CHAUCER THRENODY by RALPH WALDO EMERSON DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 5. THE STEVEDORES by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER |