Lady, there is a hope that all men have, <br />Some mercy for their faults, a grassy place <br />To rest in, and a flower-strewn, gentle grave; <br />Another hope which purifies our race, <br />That when that fearful bourn forever past, <br />They may find rest, - and rest so long to last. <br /> <br />I seek it not, I ask no rest forever, <br />My path is onward to the farthest shores, - <br />Upbear me in your arms, unceasing river, <br />That from the soul's clear fountain swiftly pours, <br />Motionless not, until the end is won, <br />Which now I feel hath scarcely felt the sun. <br /> <br />To feel, to know, to soar unlimited, <br />'Mid throngs of light-winged angels sweeping far, <br />And pore upon the realms unvisited, <br />That tesselate the unseen unthought star, <br />To be the thing that now I feebly dream <br />Flashing within my faintest, deepest gleam. <br /> <br />Ah, caverns of my soul! how thick your shade, <br />Where flows that life by which I faintly see, - <br />Wave your bright torches, for I need your aid, <br />Golden-eyed demons of my ancestry! <br />Your son though blinded hath a light within, <br />A heavenly fire which ye from suns did win. <br /> <br />O Time! O Death! I clasp you in my arms, <br />For I can soothe an infinite cold sorrow, <br />And gaze contented on your icy charms, <br />And that wild snow-pile which we call to-morrow; <br />Sweep on, O soft, and azure-lidded sky, <br />Earth's waters to your gentle gaze reply. <br /> <br />I am not earth-born, though I here delay; <br />Hope's child, I summon infiniter powers; <br />And laugh to see the mild and sunny day <br />Smile on the shrunk and thin autumnal hours; <br />I laugh, for hope hath happy place with me, <br />If my bark sinks, 'tis to another sea.<br /><br />William Ellery Channing<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/from-a-poet-s-hope/
