POETRY.
ON THE NEW ROAD.
WHEN you have started forth towards your vision, When you have counted up the gain and cost, When you have faced the old, old world's derision, Its scoffing tale of all endeavours lost ; When all is said, leave it the sane, wise clinging To proven ways you never can recall;
It has not heard your golden trumpet ringing. . . 0 Pioneer, the end is worth it all.
When by your cause you stand, its one defender, And hear the jeers and anger grow more loud, When greater men than you, grave-eyed and tender, Look on your lone defiance from the crowd, Then, then the joy of battle surges in you, The splendour of the-quite unequal strife, And all the strength of soul and brain and sinew Proclaims that you will win, and this is Life!
Madness and pride? Nay, never heed the shouting, The future's yours—can you, ot wait, 0 youth? Tn your divine conceit you know,,undoubting,
That you have found a fragment of God's truth. How shall you fall, how shall your faith diminish P
—Faith less in self than in your splendid dream ? You heard God speak to you,,and:st the finish Far in theEast you saw your vision gleam.
MILDRED HirxrIET.
Previous page
