 | Poems |  |
166
ODE TO ADVERSITY.
I.
Oh, power, all-dreaded and severe!Forever shunned, yet ever near—
Fast following as I fly!
Come if thou wilt, I fly no more,
I give the race despairing o'er,
And meet thee eye to eye.
No mercy I expect from thee,
For thou hast none to give;
I either win the victory,
Or fighting cease to live.
If strife lasts while life lasts,
A grim ally is near;
Tho' 't is said that his aid
Is what full many fear.
II.
Between two mighty powers I stand.The one with cold oppressive hand
Deals heavily the blow;
The other opes his friendly arms,
But, oh! I tremble with alarms—
He, too, may prove a foe!
But Hope soft whispers in my ear:
Bide his embrace, she saith;
Those most oppressed with troubles here
Most happy are in death.
Then tearless, and fearless,
Adversity I brave;
No foe more, no wo more
In the oblivious grave!
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