There was strength in him and the weak won freely from it, <br />There was an infinite pity, and hard hearts grew soft thereby, <br />There was truth so unshrinking and starry-shining, <br />Men read clear by its light and learned to scorn a lie. <br /> <br />His were songs so full of a wholesome laughter <br />Those whose courage was ashen found it once more aflame, <br />His was a child-like faith and wandering feet were guided, <br />His was a hope so joyous despair was put to shame. <br /> <br />His was the delicate insight and his the poignant vision <br />Whereby the world might learn what wine-lipped roses know, <br />What a drift of rain might lisp on a gray sea-dawning, <br />Or a pale spring of the woodland babble low. <br /> <br />He builded a castle of dream and a palace of rainbow fancy, <br />And the starved souls of his fellows lived in them and grew glad; <br />And yetthere were those who mocked the gifts of his generous giving, <br />And somebut he smiled and forgave themwho deemed him wholly mad!<br /><br />Lucy Maud Montgomery<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-poet-6/
