HAVE dead men long to wait? -- There is a certain term For their bodies to the worm And their souls at heaven gate: Dust to dust, clod to clod, These precious things of God, Trampled underfoot by man And beast the appointed years. -- Their longest life was but a span For change and smiles and tears: Is it worth while to live, Rejoice and grieve, Hope, fear, and die? Man with man, truth with lie, The slow show dwindles by: At last what shall we have Besides a grave? -- Lies and shows no more, No fear, no pain, But after hope and sleep Dear joys again. Those who sowed shall reap: Those who bore The Cross shall wear the Crown; Those who clomb the steep There shall sit down. The Shepherd of the sheep Feeds His flock there; In watered pastures fair They rest and leap. 'Is it worth while to live?' Be of good cheer: Love casts out fear: Rise up, achieve. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLOWER OF BEAUTY by GEORGE DARLEY THE HOLLY TREE by ROBERT SOUTHEY THE TENT ON THE BEACH: 3. THE GRAVE BY THE LAKE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER I'D BE A BUTTERFLY by THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY A CHRISTMAS SONG by WILLIAM COX BENNETT ROSA MUNDI by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |