 | Voices and visions |  |
IV
ENCOURAGEMENT
Pause if the adverse phrase
Too careless from your lips
Unpitying slips,
Whene'er you are prompted to dispraise
Man's dreams in poem or painting wrought,
Music or marble. Ask your thought
If power and purpose may not here
Inseparably bide,
Yet to your cursory heed appear
Valueless because dim-descried.
From charms of sky, field, brook,
Coldly one oft will turn,
While some more fortunate look,
Gifted with keener pupil, suppler lid,
Magic may there discern
And treasure. To the Egyptian, drowsy-eyed,
Half its grey grandeur may perforce be hid,
Even as the pages of an unread book,
By his familiar yet proud pyramid.
Too careless from your lips
Unpitying slips,
Whene'er you are prompted to dispraise
Man's dreams in poem or painting wrought,
Music or marble. Ask your thought
If power and purpose may not here
Inseparably bide,
Yet to your cursory heed appear
Valueless because dim-descried.
From charms of sky, field, brook,
Coldly one oft will turn,
While some more fortunate look,
Gifted with keener pupil, suppler lid,
Magic may there discern
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Half its grey grandeur may perforce be hid,
Even as the pages of an unread book,
By his familiar yet proud pyramid.
Ye that, being human, therefore should be kind,
Bear well in mind
That he who strives to trim art's holy flame,
Finds in the applausive glance
Given him sincerely, zest for larger aim—
For loftier effort finds rare sustenance.
Spleen on conspicuous faults forbear to wreak,
Nor merely carp and cavil at what is weak
In his creation. Better gaze askance
At flaws, remembering how rich help is lent
By even a whispered word
Heard faintly, and yet when heard
Dear as choice balms to limbs fatigue hath spent,
A boon and benediction sweetly blent,
Live with the elixir of encouragement.
Bear well in mind
That he who strives to trim art's holy flame,
Finds in the applausive glance
Given him sincerely, zest for larger aim—
For loftier effort finds rare sustenance.
Spleen on conspicuous faults forbear to wreak,
Nor merely carp and cavil at what is weak
In his creation. Better gaze askance
At flaws, remembering how rich help is lent
By even a whispered word
Heard faintly, and yet when heard
Dear as choice balms to limbs fatigue hath spent,
A boon and benediction sweetly blent,
Live with the elixir of encouragement.
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