The Demon of Destiny And Other Poems. By John Galt |
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| 1. |
| 2. | SECOND EPISTLE.
PRINCIPLES. |
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 | The Demon of Destiny |  |
SECOND EPISTLE. PRINCIPLES.
There is much virtue in a high intent,
However short it fell of what was meant;
Therefore, my boys, still greatly aim, nor think
The prize less worthy effort when you sink.
A sordid purpose is in the essay
To him as difficult, crouch'd with dismay,
As the endeavour for all-honour'd gain
To those who nobly after glory strain;
And be your pray'r but for the meed that's giv'n,
When the pure heart is recompens'd by Heav'n,
For here below it is not always bright,
That what seems prosperous is therefore right.
However short it fell of what was meant;
Therefore, my boys, still greatly aim, nor think
The prize less worthy effort when you sink.
A sordid purpose is in the essay
To him as difficult, crouch'd with dismay,
As the endeavour for all-honour'd gain
To those who nobly after glory strain;
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When the pure heart is recompens'd by Heav'n,
For here below it is not always bright,
That what seems prosperous is therefore right.
Do still your best, and ever strive to do,
Nor deem that failure is a cause to rue,
Unless self-will'd you dare to fight with Fate,
And mourn her victor when it is too late.
For success never, in life's anxious game,
Can e'er be known, unless we know the aim,—
Some for renown, and some for grandeur try,
Some play for wealth, some for authority,—
But he that wins, is only him that takes,
Whate'er it be, the prize for which he stakes.
Nor deem that failure is a cause to rue,
Unless self-will'd you dare to fight with Fate,
And mourn her victor when it is too late.
For success never, in life's anxious game,
Can e'er be known, unless we know the aim,—
Some for renown, and some for grandeur try,
Some play for wealth, some for authority,—
But he that wins, is only him that takes,
Whate'er it be, the prize for which he stakes.
Though o'er the future—wherefore who can say—
As night conceals the landscape of the day,
A mystic veil the Heavens in wisdom spread,
Dark, as unseen, of mingled hope and dread,—
They yet disclose that virtue unsubdued,
Shall see alike the evil and the good,
And prove as plainly as if speech had said,
None but the hypocrite need be afraid.
As night conceals the landscape of the day,
A mystic veil the Heavens in wisdom spread,
Dark, as unseen, of mingled hope and dread,—
They yet disclose that virtue unsubdued,
Shall see alike the evil and the good,
And prove as plainly as if speech had said,
None but the hypocrite need be afraid.
True; oft the advents as the curtain's drawn,
In shapes and hues, as dire abortions dawn,
And fearful accidents, by flood and fire,
Confound the schemes and projects of desire:
But these belong not to what mortals plan,
Nor e'er for such may hold responsive man;
And still remember, what we evil call,
Is but a consequence, the doom of all;
For all inferior to the Infinite
Is tinged with it, as darkness tinges light;
Yes, all the hues that in the Iris shine
Are but the sullied rays of light divine.
In shapes and hues, as dire abortions dawn,
And fearful accidents, by flood and fire,
Confound the schemes and projects of desire:
But these belong not to what mortals plan,
Nor e'er for such may hold responsive man;
And still remember, what we evil call,
Is but a consequence, the doom of all;
For all inferior to the Infinite
Is tinged with it, as darkness tinges light;
Yes, all the hues that in the Iris shine
Are but the sullied rays of light divine.
This felt, should teach that pain, and grief, and care,
With every ill that flesh is doom'd to heir,
May in some other state of man display
Some glorious harmony, prismatic gay,
As various densities of darkness show
The beauteous vision of the promise bow.
For but to think some heavenly end's attained,
By what we suffer when the spirit's pain'd,
Allays the anguish of all-darking thoughts,
And cheerful manliness to brave promotes.
With every ill that flesh is doom'd to heir,
May in some other state of man display
Some glorious harmony, prismatic gay,
As various densities of darkness show
The beauteous vision of the promise bow.
For but to think some heavenly end's attained,
By what we suffer when the spirit's pain'd,
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And cheerful manliness to brave promotes.
Oh! ever strive to quell the selfish yearn,
And milder moods from gentle wishes learn.
The blessed brightens for a better state,
Whose master'd passions upon Reason wait.
And milder moods from gentle wishes learn.
The blessed brightens for a better state,
Whose master'd passions upon Reason wait.
Still when blind Fortune, ever devious lures,
Let the clear path still on the right be yours;
And still conducted by the light of day,
Avoid the brambles that perplex the way;
But trust that light,—all other guides eschew,—
The path entangl'd can but lead to rue.
Let the clear path still on the right be yours;
And still conducted by the light of day,
Avoid the brambles that perplex the way;
But trust that light,—all other guides eschew,—
The path entangl'd can but lead to rue.
If haply, boys, in some malignant hour,
When storms are roaring, you for shelter cow'r
To some unenter'd cave, remember then
That Fear's Discretion near the lion's den.
Oh! rather front undauntedly the squall,
Than couch with reptiles, or risk headlong fall—
Nor e'er the courteous proffer'd wine partake
Without some knowledge,—flowers may hide a snake.
When storms are roaring, you for shelter cow'r
To some unenter'd cave, remember then
That Fear's Discretion near the lion's den.
Oh! rather front undauntedly the squall,
Than couch with reptiles, or risk headlong fall—
Nor e'er the courteous proffer'd wine partake
Without some knowledge,—flowers may hide a snake.
Besides firm rectitude, I would impress:
Never receive as favour what's redress.
It weakens justice, and makes those that wrong'd
Believe they give more than of right belong'd.
The world requires us to regard effect;
And what is principle should be erect.
Never receive as favour what's redress.
It weakens justice, and makes those that wrong'd
Believe they give more than of right belong'd.
The world requires us to regard effect;
And what is principle should be erect.
Ne'er ask a favour which you may not claim
As due for services of gen'rous aim,—
Nor think you ever in your task succeed,
Until some other ratifies the deed.
Still bear in mind that for the world you live,—
And for its welfare ever bound to strive;
For though it grovel,—even crimes applaud,—
It is the echo that prolongs the laud
Of the pure conscience, and that conscience still
Is God's vicegerent, and should rule the will.
As due for services of gen'rous aim,—
Nor think you ever in your task succeed,
Until some other ratifies the deed.
Still bear in mind that for the world you live,—
And for its welfare ever bound to strive;
For though it grovel,—even crimes applaud,—
It is the echo that prolongs the laud
Of the pure conscience, and that conscience still
Is God's vicegerent, and should rule the will.
| The Demon of Destiny | |