Stretch out, for life is weary at your side— Let it sleep from dawn to dark, Weary and fair, Let it slumber late— But you, arise! The dream calls and passes In the vasty gloom; If you hesitate I know not what guide will illume your ways— The dream calls and passes, Toward divinity. Leave, take But a stake for the road that fronts, Of all the love that doubles at every pace Hold the desire, and race; Speed on: The dream calls and passes, Passes, and calls but once. Go in the shadow; run! Is it a chasm you shun? Do you fear? Hurry! ... it is too late: Fair life with its dream of love Holds its sweet arms above you. Too late: The dream calls and passes, Calls in vain, Passes in disdain. Then Clasp life again, With weary kisses engender an art of it; If you would not surge toward God, toward the infinite, With the silent dream that importuned, Turn back, clasp beauteous life, Immortalize therein your single hour: Of your sorrow at death and life's procreant joy Let spring, harmonious, the Word That will survive you, that will laugh and weep When spring aflower On the woodland steep With the youthful guile of love that must be heard Sings in the radiance of her smile. ... | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EARLY RISING by JOHN GODFREY SAXE THE GRAPE-VINE SWING by WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS LINES TO SAMUEL ROGERS IN WALES ON EVE OF BASTILLE DAY 1791 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE DAY AFTER THE WAR by JAMES MADISON BELL PSALM 23. THE SHEPHERD'S PSALM by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |