 | Poems |  |
58
YOUTH AND TRUTH.
Now in life's breezy morning,
Here on life's sunny shore,
To all the powers of falsehood
We vow eternal war:
Here on life's sunny shore,
To all the powers of falsehood
We vow eternal war:
Eternal hate to falsehood;
And then, as needs must be,
O Truth, O Lady peerless,
Eternal love to thee.
And then, as needs must be,
O Truth, O Lady peerless,
Eternal love to thee.
All fair things that seem true things
Our hearts shall aye receive,
Not over-quick to seize them,
Nor over-loth to leave;
Our hearts shall aye receive,
Not over-quick to seize them,
Nor over-loth to leave;
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Not over-loth or hasty
To leave them or to seize,
Not eager still to wander,
Nor clinging still to ease.
To leave them or to seize,
Not eager still to wander,
Nor clinging still to ease.
A band of many tempers,
Of many moods, are we;
Some kindly god hath yoked us
With a yoke of liberty;
Of many moods, are we;
Some kindly god hath yoked us
With a yoke of liberty;
Of various brain and temper,
Of many strains and stocks,
Some sworn to godlike Milton,
And some to genial Fox.
Of many strains and stocks,
Some sworn to godlike Milton,
And some to genial Fox.
Some cherish far-sought knowledge,
Some laughter keen and rare,
Some drink to Galileo
And some to bright Voltaire.
Some laughter keen and rare,
Some drink to Galileo
And some to bright Voltaire.
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But one vow links us ever,
That whatsoe'er shall be,
Nor Life nor Death shall sever
Our souls, O Truth, from thee.
That whatsoe'er shall be,
Nor Life nor Death shall sever
Our souls, O Truth, from thee.
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