Records and Other Poems By the late Robert Leighton |
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THE ONLY STRENGTH. |
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 | Records and Other Poems |  |
146
THE ONLY STRENGTH.
These arms of strength that work, propel, and draw—
These limbs that bear us on in stalwart pride,
Were each as feeble as a bruisèd straw,
But for the soul inside.
These limbs that bear us on in stalwart pride,
Were each as feeble as a bruisèd straw,
But for the soul inside.
The tempest-wrestling trees were doubled up,
And stone and iron, dust upon the wind—
All strength were weakness—even the winds would drop,
But for an inward mind.
And stone and iron, dust upon the wind—
All strength were weakness—even the winds would drop,
But for an inward mind.
Earth could give no resistance to our tread—
Would yield like smoke beneath us,—star with star,
That walk in peaceful beauty overhead,
Fall blindly into war.
Would yield like smoke beneath us,—star with star,
That walk in peaceful beauty overhead,
Fall blindly into war.
Mind is the only strength—the mind we've deem'd
Product of matter—matter's origin;
And earth and men are not what they have seem'd—
God earth, and spirits men.
Product of matter—matter's origin;
And earth and men are not what they have seem'd—
God earth, and spirits men.
| Records and Other Poems | |