My Virtual Reading Room

Farewell

Tell them, O Sky-born, when I die
With high romance to wife,
That I went out as I had lived,
Drunk with the joy of life.

Yea, say that I went down to death
Serene and unafraid,
Still loving Song, but loving more
Life, of which Song is made!

(Harry Kemp)

"I can easier tell twenty what were good to be done than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching."

(Portia to Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice)

Plea For Strength

Grant me the fighting spirit, grant me the rugged heart--
Grant me the inner courage in the battle to do my part.
Whether the path be easy or thorny and rough and long,
Let me press on to the evening, willing and brave and strong.

Not from the cares that try me, would I be forever free.
All that I ask is patience for whatever my task may be;
Patience to wait the little brief while, till the work is done,
And the needed strength, and the courage, for the struggle that can be won.

Grant me the fighting spirit, and fashion me stout of will,
Arouse in me that strange something that fearfulness cannot chill.
Let me not whimper at hardship! This is the gift I ask:
Not ease and escape from trial, but strength for the doubtful task.

(Edgar A. Guest)

Aunt Jane Worried

Aunt Jane was one of the worrying kind,
Early and late with a troubled mind
Fearing the worst, in her chair she sat
Grieving herself over this and that.

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