 | A New Year's Eve, and Other Poems |  |
67
THE FUTURE.
But is the poet thus bereft?
Hath song no glorious visions left,
More holy, heavenly, and sublime,
Than legends of the olden time?
Hath song no glorious visions left,
More holy, heavenly, and sublime,
Than legends of the olden time?
Because the world and worldly cares
Cumber life's daily path with snares,
Hath Science, Commerce, Wealth or Power,
Destroyed the minstrel's loftiest dower?
Cumber life's daily path with snares,
Hath Science, Commerce, Wealth or Power,
Destroyed the minstrel's loftiest dower?
Believe it not! The immortal soul
Still travels onward to its goal;
Its holiest hopes, its visions high,
Are linked to dim Futurity.
Still travels onward to its goal;
Its holiest hopes, its visions high,
Are linked to dim Futurity.
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In viewless ages yet to come,
It seeks its everlasting home,
And, conscious of its heavenly birth,
It spurns the bounds of time and earth.
It seeks its everlasting home,
And, conscious of its heavenly birth,
It spurns the bounds of time and earth.
Then, poet, mourn The Past no more,
And cease The Present to deplore;
With humbled heart and heavenward eye,
Look forward to Eternity!
And cease The Present to deplore;
With humbled heart and heavenward eye,
Look forward to Eternity!
Beyond thy mortal vision's scope
Exists the “Promised Land” of Hope;
And through the shadowy vale of Death
Extends the vista seen by Faith.
Exists the “Promised Land” of Hope;
And through the shadowy vale of Death
Extends the vista seen by Faith.
| A New Year's Eve, and Other Poems | |