Arthur Hugh Clough

Ah! still awhile the old thought retain,
And yet consider it again!

Ah! still awhile the old thought retain,
And yet consider it again!

It fortifies my soul to know That though I perish, truth is so; That, wheresoe'er I stray and range, Whate'er read more

It fortifies my soul to know That though I perish, truth is so; That, wheresoe'er I stray and range, Whate'er I do, Thou dost not change. I steadier step when I recall That, if I slip, Thou dost not fall.

Where lies the land, to which the ship would go?Far, far ahead is all, her seamen know.And where the land read more

Where lies the land, to which the ship would go?Far, far ahead is all, her seamen know.And where the land she travels from?Away, far far behind, is all that they can say.

What voice did on my spirit fall,
Peschiera, when thy bridge I crost?
'Tis better to have read more

What voice did on my spirit fall,
Peschiera, when thy bridge I crost?
'Tis better to have fought and lost
That never to have fought at all!

Old things need not be therefore true,
O brother men, nor yet the new;
Ah! still awhile read more

Old things need not be therefore true,
O brother men, nor yet the new;
Ah! still awhile the old thought retain,
And yet consider it again!