Richard Watson Gilder

We lean on Faith; and some less wise have cried,
"Behold the butterfly, the see that's cast!"
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We lean on Faith; and some less wise have cried,
"Behold the butterfly, the see that's cast!"
Vain hopes that fall like flowers before the blast!
What man can look on Death unterrified?

Since ancient Time began,
Ever on some great soul God laid an infinite burden--
The weight of read more

Since ancient Time began,
Ever on some great soul God laid an infinite burden--
The weight of all this world, the hopes of man,
Conflict and pain, and fame immortal are his guerdon.

Now you who rhyme, and I who rhyme,
Have not we sworn it, many a time,
That read more

Now you who rhyme, and I who rhyme,
Have not we sworn it, many a time,
That we no more our verse would scrawl,
For Shakespeare he had said it all!

Stream of the living world
Where dash the billows of strife!--
One plunge in the mighty torrent
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Stream of the living world
Where dash the billows of strife!--
One plunge in the mighty torrent
Is a year of tamer life!
City of glorious days,
Of hope, and labour and mirth,
With room and to spare, on thy splendid bays
For the ships of all the earth!