Not to the swift, the race: <br />Not to the strong, the fight: <br />Not to the righteous, perfect grace: <br />Not to the wise, the light. <br /> <br />But often faltering feet <br />Come surest to the goal; <br />And they who walk in darkness meet <br />The sunrise of the soul. <br /> <br />A thousand times by night <br />The Syrian hosts have died; <br />A thousand times the vanquished right <br />Hath risen, glorified. <br /> <br />The truth the wise men sought <br />Was spoken by a child; <br />The alabaster box was brought <br />In trembling hands defiled. <br /> <br />Not from my torch, the gleam, <br />But from the stars above: <br />Not from my heart, life's crystal stream, <br />But from the depths of Love.<br /><br />Henry Van Dyke<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/reliance/
