Classic Poem

But this longing to live!
This tragical strife
Of us mortals to give
Our lives more of life!

Give us new! give us more!
We hunger, we thirst,
We aspire, we implore —
Give most, best or worst!

We inherit the ages
Of human desire;
Ay, within us yet rages
The older brute-fire.

All that is we have been,
Of air, earth, or sea;
Whether wing, foot, or fin,
One kindred are we.

In our blood flowing down
From primitive man,
Savage, saint, sage, and clown
Have blent as it ran.

All their lives are our life,
Their lusts are our lust;
And we strive with their strife,
Then — dust to their dust!