 | Sonnets by the Rev. Charles Strong |  |
X.
They tell me, Boy, that, with too eager pace,
I strain with thee up Learning's arduous steep,
And by untrodden paths advance, nor keep
The road, that gently rises from the base:
I strain with thee up Learning's arduous steep,
And by untrodden paths advance, nor keep
The road, that gently rises from the base:
'Tis true, from height to height to loftier place,
I lead thee on, and barriers overleap,
Where others, by dull ways, obscurely creep,
Nothing beholding of the glorious chase;
I lead thee on, and barriers overleap,
Where others, by dull ways, obscurely creep,
Nothing beholding of the glorious chase;
Yet is thy watchful Father ever by,
Ever he stretches back a helping hand,
Informs thy steps, and bids thee fearless try;
Ever he stretches back a helping hand,
Informs thy steps, and bids thee fearless try;
One effort more, and on the top we stand,—
There, in the freshness of a purer sky,
Range we at leisure through the flowery land.
There, in the freshness of a purer sky,
Range we at leisure through the flowery land.
| Sonnets by the Rev. Charles Strong | |