Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul. Various

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СКАЧАТЬ its glittering wares entice thee, or its shouts and cries confound?

      Oh, beware lest thy Lord's business be forgotten, while thy gaze

      Is on every show and pageant which the giddy square displays.

      Barter not his gold for pebbles; do not trade in vanities;

      Pearls there are of price and jewels for the purchase of the wise.

      And know this—at thy returning thou wilt surely find the King

      With an open book before Him, waiting to make reckoning.

      Thus large honors will the faithful, earnest service of one day

      Reap of Him; but one day's folly largest penalties will pay.

      —Richard Chenevix Trench.

      ———

      Not once or twice in our fair island-story

      The path of duty was the way to glory.

      He, that ever following her commands,

      On with toil of heart and knees and hands,

      Thro' the long gorge to the far light has won

      His path upward, and prevailed,

      Shall find the toppling crags of Duty scaled

      Are close upon the shining table-lands

      To which our God himself is moon and sun.

      —Alfred Tennyson.

      ———

      GO RIGHT ON WORKING

      Ah, yes! the task is hard, 'tis true,

      But what's the use of sighing?

      They're soonest with their duties through

      Who bravely keep on trying.

      There's no advantage to be found

      In sorrowing or shirking;

      They with success are soonest crowned

      Who just go right on working.

      Strive patiently and with a will

      That shall not be defeated;

      Keep singing at your task until

      You see it stand completed.

      Nor let the clouds of doubt draw near,

      Your sky's glad sunshine murking;

      Be brave, and fill your heart with cheer,

      And just go right on working.

      —Nixon Waterman.

      ———

      JUSTICE ONLY

      Be not too proud of good deeds wrought!

      When thou art come from prayer, speak truly!

      Even if he wrongeth thee in aught,

      Respect thy Guru. Give alms duly.

      But let none wist! Live, day by day,

      With little and with little swelling

      Thy tale of duty done—the way

      The wise ant-people build their dwelling;

      Not harming any living thing;

      That thou may'st have—at time of dying—

      A Hand to hold thee, and to bring

      Thy footsteps safe; and, so relying,

      Pass to the farther world. For none

      Save Justice leads there! Father, mother,

      Will not be nigh; nor wife, nor son,

      Nor friends, nor kin; nor any other

      Save only Justice! All alone

      Each entereth here, and each one leaveth

      This life alone; and every one

      The fruit of all his deeds receiveth

      Alone—alone; bad deeds and good!

      That day when kinsmen, sadly turning,

      Forsake thee, like the clay or wood,

      A thing committed to the burning.

      But Justice shall not quit thee then,

      If thou hast served her, therefore never

      Cease serving; that shall hold thee when

      The darkness falls which falls forever,

      Which hath no star, nor way and guide.

      But Justice knows the road; and midnight

      Is noon to her. Man at her side

      Goes, through the gloom, safe to the hid light.

      And he who loved her more than all,

      Who purged by sorrow his offenses,

      Shall shine, in realms celestial,

      With glory, quit of sins and senses.

      —Edwin Arnold, from the Sanskrit.

      ———

      GOD'S VENGEANCE

      Saith the Lord, "Vengeance is mine;"

      "I will repay," saith the Lord;

      Ours be the anger divine,

      Lit by the flash of his word.

      How shall his vengeance be done?

      How, when his purpose is clear?

      Must he come down from the throne?

      Hath he no instruments here?

      Sleep СКАЧАТЬ