Classic Poem

O Time and Chance, what have you done to me?
Where now are all my golden hours and days?
Where now my glorious world? In blank amaze
On sunless sky, bare earth and sullen sea,
On withered flower and blasted leafless tree,
On broken wall and ruined home I gaze.
No hour of grace is here: no kind delays: —
Silent I bow to your supreme decree.

We are your bondslaves all: we wear your chains;
We run a measured course, a chartered span:
You take our all; and, taken, what remains?
Courage, deep-rooted in the heart of man,
Courage in deepest ruin most sublime,
And strong in spite of you, O Chance and Time.