I HAVE a hoard of treasure in my breast; The grange of memory steams against the door, Full of my bygone lifetime's garnered store, Old pleasures crowned with sorrow for a zest, Old sorrow grown a joy, old penance blest, Chastened remembrance of the sins of yore That, like a new evangel, more and more Supports our halting will toward the best. Ah, what to us the barren after years May bring of joy or sorrow, who can tell? O, knowing not, who cares? It may be well That we shall find old pleasures and old fears, And our remembered childhood seen thro' tears The best of Heaven and the worst of Hell. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE OCTOROON by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON EPITAPH IN A CHURCH-YARD IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA by AMY LOWELL PLAIN LANGUAGE FROM TRUTHFUL JAMES by FRANCIS BRET HARTE THE PESSIMIST by BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KING DYING SPEECH OF AN OLD PHILOSOPHER by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR THE ANGEL IN THE HOUSE: BOOK 1. CANTO 2. PRELUDE: LOVE AT LARGE by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE |