 | Landmarks and other poems |  |
71
IF.
Strong little Monosyllable betweenDesire and joy, between the hand and heart
Of all our longing; dreary death's-head seen
Ere our quick lips to touch the nectar part!
O giant dwarf, making the whole world cling
To thy cold arm before the infant feet
Of frail resolves can walk, man-like, complete,
Steep mountain-roads of high accomplishing!
Dim dragon in the way of our designing,
No Red-Cross Knight may vanquish! Though most brave,
Strong Will before thee crouches, a mute slave—
Faith dies to feel thee in her path declining!
If! thou dost seem to our poor human sense
The broken crutch of our blind providence!
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