Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
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CROSSING THE THRESHOLD. |
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 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD.
I was resolved to do this thing, or die—
To face the terrors that before us lie,
And cross the threshold of the silent Porch
Alone, unarmed, and with no certain torch
But courage. How could I live tamely on,
And tread the dreary road that fools had gone
For centuries of vegetable life,
When all above and all around was rife
With larger other pulses than our own?
For what was best and brightest was unknown,
And nothing hindered but the human tie—
I was resolved to do this thing, or die.
To face the terrors that before us lie,
And cross the threshold of the silent Porch
Alone, unarmed, and with no certain torch
But courage. How could I live tamely on,
And tread the dreary road that fools had gone
For centuries of vegetable life,
When all above and all around was rife
With larger other pulses than our own?
For what was best and brightest was unknown,
And nothing hindered but the human tie—
I was resolved to do this thing, or die.
I was resolved to do this thing, or die—
Not simply in the vulgar round to vie
With groundlings for each common grace or gift;
But somehow somewhere to find out a rift
Between this world and that uncharted shore
Which opens once to all nor opens more
And enter through the unutterable shade,
If every power of heaven and earth forbade;
And with the conquering thought that seemed to give
The strength desired, I entered and did live,
And saw what is not seen by mortal eye—
I was resolved to do this thing or die.
Not simply in the vulgar round to vie
With groundlings for each common grace or gift;
But somehow somewhere to find out a rift
Between this world and that uncharted shore
Which opens once to all nor opens more
And enter through the unutterable shade,
If every power of heaven and earth forbade;
And with the conquering thought that seemed to give
The strength desired, I entered and did live,
And saw what is not seen by mortal eye—
I was resolved to do this thing or die.
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |