IN lonely toil my manhood has been spent, Spurning all ties of home, all joyance free; And now my heart is sick, my frame is bent, And I would sleep, but rest is not for me. Two gifts I seek, two wondrous powers unknown Shall yield their treasures to my dauntless mind; The meaner, boundless wealth to me alone; The nobler, endless life for all mankind. My star of distant hope doth far transcend All dew-drop glories, that around me lie: With Nature I will struggle to the end; Conquer I must, though conquering I should die. Though I should die, ere I have tasted life, Losing the heritage I give to all; Though, as I grasp the trophy of the strife, My battle-wearied arm should powerless fall. I conquer still, though strength may not be mine To drink the cup my dying hand prepares; My life, but not my triumph I resign, For all mankind shall be my deathless heirs. I care not who the victor's crown may wear, I care not, though my bones neglected lie: This is my latest, this my only prayer -- Come life, come death, let not my wisdom die. Yet oh! sweet Life, for whom I long have served, Whose glorious beauty I from far have seen, Not this reward thy votary deserved, Not this thy warrior's guerdon should have been. Oh no, it cannot be! for I shall live, And priceless bounty royally impart, And life and love, and wealth and gladness give, Dug from the treasure cavern of my heart. I still will hope, and struggle for the crown; Night shall not come, before I grasp the truth; For I will yet behold my just renown, And feel at last the fresh delight of youth. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JANGLING MEMORY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD BEARS AT RASPBERRY TIME by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE FLAME LIGHTS UP by DAVID IGNATOW HOW MY HEART SINKS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SORROW SINGERS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 3. TEESTAY by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON |