THEY who have governed with a self control Each wild and baneful passion of the soul— Curbed the strong impulse of all fierce desires, But kept alive affection's purer fires; Those who have passed the labyrinth of life Without one hour of weakness or of strife; Prepared each change of future to endure, Humble tho' rich, and dignified tho' poor— Skilled in the latest movements of the heart— Learned in that lore which nature can impart; Teaching that sweet philosophy aloud Which sees the silver lining of the cloud; Looking for good in all beneath the skies— Those only can be numbered with the wise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: DAVIS MATLOCK by EDGAR LEE MASTERS A MINOR POET by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET MARIA CALLAS, THE WOMAN BEHIND THE LEGEND* by MADELINE DEFREES TO A MOTH SEEN IN WINTER by ROBERT FROST HOW MY HEART SINKS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO SAMUEL COLERIDGE UPON HEARING HIS 'SOME I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS..' by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |