Читать книгу Canadian Battlefields, and Other Poems - J. R. Wilkinson - Страница 8

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Delve down in the deep mines, O restless man!

Wrest from the deep mines the red, red gold;

Seize the diamonds and the precious gems;

In the deep, vast mines lies wealth untold.

Win from the deep sea, from the uttermost sea,

The hoarded treasures of Neptune’s realm.

Command thou thine own staunch, dauntless barque;

Hold the chart, and thyself guide the helm.

Quaff thou from the deep things of life, O man,

The things that make life more broad and great.

Revere the good, the noble, and true;

Grasp destiny from the hand of fate;

Chain the elements to thy chariot wheels;

Count all things subservient to thy will—

The things that ennoble assimilate,

Pure as the cool, sparkling mountain rill.

Drink thou of the deep wells of love, O man!

For life is empty without its sway;

The love of friends, and e’en our fellowman,

Make darkest night seem bright as the day.

Be kind, considerate of thy brother;

Smooth somewhat if thou canst his rugged way;

Bear each other’s burdens, battle side by side—

United ye shall surely win the day.

Delve deep in thine own bosom, O man!

Pluck gems of thought that dormant lie;

Let thy fiery energy and deathless zeal

Move the hearts of men, lift their souls on high.

If thou canst not o’er the mountain go,

Penetrate it to the vale beyond;

Look upward and onward, brave, pure soul,

And Fortune may touch thee with her wand.

But if o’ertaken by an adverse fate,

And thy dreams of greatness fade away,

Front thou the storm and battle’s fiery rage;

Yield but to death—death’s lurid, fatal day!

If all thy years should lead by lowly ways,

Where wealth and fame ne’er ope their shining wings,

Be comforted, do thy humble duty well,

In heaven thou mayst be honored more than kings.