Poems by Jean Ingelow, In Two Volumes, Volume II. by Jean Ingelow
page 96 of 487 (19%)
page 96 of 487 (19%)
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And will the nations it should dawn? Will they
Who ride upon the perilous edge of war? Will such as delve for gold in this our day? Neither the world will, nor the age will, nor The soul--and what, it cometh now? Nay, nay, The weighty sphere, unready for release, Rolls far in front of that o'ermastering peace. Wait and desire it; life waits not, free there To good, to evil, thy right perilous-- All shall be fair, and yet it is not fair. I thank my God He takes th'advantage thus; He doth not greatly hide, but still declare Which side He is on and which He loves, to us, While life impartial aid to both doth lend, And heed not which the choice nor what the end. Among the few upright, O to be found, And ever search the nobler path, my son, Nor say 'tis sweet to find me common ground Too high, too good, shall leave the hours alone-- Nay, though but one stood on the height renowned, Deny not hope or will, to be that one. Is it the many fall'n shall lift the land, The race, the age!--Nay, 't is the few that stand.' While in the lamplight hearkening I sat mute, Methought 'How soon this fire must needs burn out' Among the passion flowers and passion fruit That from the wide verandah hung, misdoubt |
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