Young ardent soul, graced with fair Nature's truth, <br />Spring warmth of heart, and fervency of mind, <br />And still a large late love of all thy kind. <br />Spite of the world's cold practice and Time's tooth,— <br />For all these gifts, I know not, in fair sooth, <br />Whether to give thee joy, or bid thee blind <br />Thine eyes with tears,—that thou hast not resign'd <br />The passionate fire and freshness of thy youth: <br />For as the current of thy life shall flow, <br />Gilded by shine of sun or shadow-stain'd, <br />Through flow'ry valley or unwholesome fen, <br />Thrice blessed in thy joy, or in thy woe <br />Thrice cursed of thy race,—thou art ordain'd <br />To share beyond the lot of common men.<br /><br />Thomas Hood<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-an-enthusiast/
