True touchstone lives are these, and test our gold, -- Such years as Judson spent, and Patteson, Moffat and Carey, Gilmour, Hannington, Martyn the saint, and Gardiner the bold, Brainerd and Livingstone, -- ah, who has told In fitting speech the deeds these men have done, Defeats endured and gallant battles won, Their pains and prayers and patience manifold? They stood in the front of the world, and all alone They fought the dismal fiends of outer night, Chanted their battle hymns, and made no moan When goods, health, love, fell from them in the fight. They fought in the front of the world, and we, the blind, Think we find health, and wealth, and fame -- behind! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONCERNING NECESSITY by HAYDEN CARRUTH PUSSY-WILLOW TIME by ROBERT FROST IVY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO THE MEMORY OF INEZ MILHOLLAND by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON STREET-CRIES: 2. THE SHIP OF EARTH by SIDNEY LANIER |