Chapter 142
So live that when the mighty caravan, Which halts one night-time in the Vale of Death, Shall strike its white tents for the morning march, Thou shalt mount onward to the Eternal Hills, Thy foot unwearied, and thy strength renewed Like the strong eagle's for the upward flight.
And see all sights from pole to pole, And glance and nod and bustle by, And never once possess our soul Before we die.
--Matthew Arnold.
Catch, then, O catch the transient hour; Improve each moment as it flies; Life's a short summer--man a flower.
--Dr. Samuel Johnson.
This world's no blot for us Nor blank; it means intensely, and means good: To find its meaning is my meat and drink.
--Robert Browning.
What is life?
'Tis not to stalk about, and draw fresh air, Or gaze upon the sun. 'Tis to be free.
--Joseph Addison.
I see the right, and I approve it too, Condemn the wrong, and yet the wrong pursue.
--Ovid.
G.o.d asks not "To what sect did he belong?"
But, "Did he do the right, or love the wrong?"
--From the Persian.
s.h.i.+ps that pa.s.s in the night, and speak each other in pa.s.sing, Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life we pa.s.s and speak one another, Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
One wept all night beside a sick man's bed: At dawn the sick was well, the mourner dead.
--From the Persian.
'Tis life whereof our nerves are scant, O life, not death, for which we pant; More life and fuller that I want.
--Alfred Tennyson.
AGE AND DEATH
MATURITY, VICTORY, HEAVEN
A DEFIANCE TO OLD AGE
Thou shalt not rob me, thievish Time, Of all my blessings or my joy; I have some jewels in my heart Which thou art powerless to destroy.
Thou mayest denude mine arm of strength, And leave my temples seamed and bare; Deprive mine eyes of pa.s.sion's light, And scatter silver o'er my hair.
But never, while a book remains, And breathes a woman or a child, Shalt thou deprive me whilst I live Of feelings fresh and undefiled.
No, never while the earth is fair, And Reason keeps its dial bright, Whate'er thy robberies, O Time, Shall I be bankrupt of delight.
Whate'er thy victories o'er my frame, Thou canst not cheat me of this truth: That, though the limbs may faint and fail, The spirit can renew its youth.
So, thievish Time, I fear thee not; Thou'rt powerless on this heart of mine; My precious jewels are my own, 'Tis but the settings that are thine.
--Charles Mackay.
SIMPLE FAITH
You say, "Where goest thou?" I cannot tell And still go on. If but the way be straight I cannot go amiss! Before me lies Dawn and the Day! the Night behind me; that Suffices me; I break the bounds; I see, And nothing more; believe, and nothing less.
My future is not one of my concerns.
A MORNING THOUGHT
What if some morning, when the stars were paling, And the dawn whitened, and the East was clear, Strange peace and rest fell on me from the presence Of a benignant Spirit standing near,
And I should tell him, as he stood beside me, "This is our Earth--most friendly Earth, and fair; Daily its sea and sh.o.r.e through sun and shadow Faithful it turns, robed in its azure air;
"There is blest living here, loving and serving, And quest of truth, and serene friends.h.i.+ps dear; But stay not, Spirit! Earth has one destroyer-- His name is Death; flee, lest he find thee here!"
And what if then, while the still morning brightened, And freshened in the elm the summer's breath, Should gravely smile on me the gentle angel, And take my hand and say, "My name is Death."
--Edward Rowland Sill.
On parent knees, a naked, new-born child, Weeping thou sat'st while all around thee smiled: So live that, sinking in thy last long sleep, Calm thou may'st smile while all around thee weep.
--From the Persian.
EMMAUS