Classic Poem

A CHARACTER

Once a fire-shaken Mount of Pain,
Now, passion-quenched, it meekly holds
A cool, deep cup to keep God's rain —
Blessed by the burden it enfolds.

ADVERSITY

A fine, hard face has sovereign Fate
Which frowns us on to higher ends;
Transfigured, how it makes amends
When Love smiles through the mask of Hate!

REQUIREMENTS

He loves a woman little who
Sees not an angel in her,
And will not hate his dearest sin
And conquer it to win her.

TRUTH

Truth is a strong and widening stream
That floweth evermore;
And knowledge but the nearer waves
That break upon the shore.

TO RHYMERS

Be sure your song is from the heart,
Not every theme is worth your art;
Seems then your subject worthy still?
Then give it naught but finest skill!

UTTERANCE

There is a Word, that, spoken, flies
Echoless ever through the skies;
Its Utterance, full, takes all life's breath;
The monosyllable of Death.