Classic Poem

RENUNCIATION .

To treasure thoughts of kindness shown
And feel no duty left undone, —
No outraged faith, no league of love
Betrayed in mock appeal to Jove —
If this be pleasure, many a joy,
Catullus, waits you by and by
From this ungrateful love! By you
All kindly things to say or do
Were said and done; — all to no good
Offered to such ingratitude.
Why further rack yourself? O borrow
Strength for withdrawal yet more thorough,
And grieve not Heaven by wooing Sorrow!
'T is hard at once old love to quell.
'T is hard, but you must do it still.
This is your only chance of life;
Victor you must be in this strife.
If mortal can, this you shall do —
Ay, even though he cannot too!
O God! if Thine be pity — if Thou
E'en in the jaws of death ere now
Hast wrought salvation — look on me,
And if my life seem fair to Thee,
O tear this plague, this curse away
Which, gaining on me day by day,
A creeping, slow paralysis,
Hath driven away all happiness.
I ask Thee not that she return
My love, nor that she yet may yearn
For Purity — oh, that were vain!
I pray but to be well again,
Quit of this foul disease. O bless
Thus, thus, O God! my duteousness!