Classic Poem

'Rejoice,' said the Sun; 'I will make thee gay
With glory and gladness and holiday;
I am dumb, O man, and I need thy voice!'
But man would not rejoice.

'Rejoice in thyself,' said he, 'O Sun,
For thy daily course is a lordly one;
In thy lofty place rejoice if thou can:
For me, I am only a man.'

'Rejoice,' said the Wind; 'I am free and strong,
And will wake in thy heart an ancient song;
Hear the roaring woods, my organ noise!'
But man would not rejoice.

'Rejoice, O Wind, in thy strength,' said he,
'For thou fulfillest thy destiny;
Shake the forest, the faint flowers fan;
For me, I am only a man.'

'Rejoice,' said the Night, 'with moon and star,
For the Sun and the Wind are gone afar;
I am here with rest and dreaming choice!'
But man would not rejoice;

For he said-'What is rest to me, I pray,
Whose labour leads to no gladsome day?
He only can dream who has hope behind:
Alas for me and my kind!'

Then a voice that came not from moon or star,
From the sun, or the wind that roved afar,
Said, 'Man, I am with thee-hear my voice!'
And man said, 'I rejoice.'