ALTHOUGH upon the shore I seem A flake of foam in passing flight; Although my life is but a dream, Though I am only dust and night; Though I am but a lump of clay, A worm 'mid other human worms, Crushed 'neath the wheel which speeds away, The wheel which man 'To-morrow' terms; Though beneath Evil's fangs I lie; Though I am scorned, and weak, and bare; Though I am made of misery, And you of heavenly azure are;-- Dauntless in right you still confide, Immovable in trust and faith; Conscience! my sacred help and guide, You go before me e'en to Death! Ever prepared, you march before; You lead, I follow your command; Your face, Fate's veil is gathered o'er-- The lamp of God is in your hand. You say, 'Your cross you must abide; Rise up! Here is no resting-place.' You say, 'Your soul here you must hide'; You say, 'Step in the paths I trace.' You prefer life which sorrows steep, Mourning and gloom the friend we own; You smile when I am forced to weep, You sing when I am forced to groan. Lit by your torch, with rapture rife, I step by step, serene and brave, Through all the miseries of life, Pass downward to the silent grave. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FOR THE INVESTITURE by CECIL DAY LEWIS CHAMBER MUSIC: 11 by JAMES JOYCE DOMESDAY BOOK: ELENOR MURRAY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MAGRADY GRAHAM by EDGAR LEE MASTERS ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, EXEKIEL, DANIEL by MARIANNE MOORE A LETTER ON THE USE OF MACHINE GUNS AT WEDDINGS by KENNETH PATCHEN ON AN UNFINISHED STATUE BY MICHAEL ANGELO by GEORGE SANTAYANA |