Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO MARCUS by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: YOU HAVE BEEN FAR, AND I
Last Line: WE SHALL SUCCEED.
Subject(s): CHRISTIANITY; FRIENDSHIP; FUTURE; WINTER;

YOU have been far, and I
Been farther yet,
Since last, in foul or fair
An impecunious pair,
Below this northern sky
Of ours, we met.

Now winter nights shall see
Again, us two
While howls the tempest higher
Sit warmly by the fire
And dream and plan, as we
Were wont to do.

And, hand in hand, at large
Our thoughts shall walk
While storm and gusty rain
Again and yet again,
Shall drive their noisy charge
Across the talk.

The pleasant future still
Shall smile to me
And hope with wooing hands
Wave on to fairy lands
All over dale and hill
And earth and sea.

And you who doubt the sky
And fear the sun --
You -- @3Christian@1 with the pack --
You shall not wander back
For I am @3Hopeful@1 -- I
Will cheer you on.

Come -- where the great have trod,
The great shall lead --
Come, elbow through the press,
Pluck Fortune by the dress --
By God, we must -- by God,
We shall succeed.



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