Classic Poem

Ah , star! that bring'st the deep still night,
With shine of silver careless light,
Set far in lone expanse of sky,
With no sweet sister star near by,
Hast thou no dreams that from thy peace
Reach out to gain life's golden fleece?

Art thou content with lonely bliss,
And lofty calm, and thought's cold kiss?
With stormless sphere dim clouds above—
Dim clouds of hope and fear and love—
And all the ills that help make up
The mixéd wine of sad life's cup?

Thy shining knows nor pause nor rest,
Thou seemest glad and unoppressed,
Thou know'st not sorrowing, piteous tears,
Thou seem'st unshaken by dim fears;
But thou art silent as gross stone,
And thy while splendor dwells alone.

Ah, star! what mean these strivings fierce
That shake our sphere, our hearts transpierce?
We fear with thee to climb thy height
Encircled by wide waste of night;
We spurn the soil our feet must press,
Yet quake to gain thy loneliness.