Poor and inadequate the shadow-play <br />Of gain and loss, of waking and of dream, <br />Against life's solemn background needs must seem <br />At this late hour. Yet, not unthankfully, <br />I call to mind the fountains by the way, <br />The breath of flowers, the bird-song on the spray, <br />Dear friends, sweet human loves, the joy of giving <br />And of receiving, the great boon of living <br />In grand historic years when Liberty <br />Had need of word and work, quick sympathies <br />For all who fail and suffer, song's relief, <br />Nature's uncloying loveliness; and chief, <br />The kind restraining hand of Providence, <br />The inward witness, the assuring sense <br />Of an Eternal Good which overlies <br />The sorrow of the world, Love which outlives <br />All sin and wrong, Compassion which forgives <br />To the uttermost, and Justice whose clear eyes <br />Through lapse and failure look to the intent, <br />And judge our frailty by the life we meant.<br /><br />John Greenleaf Whittier<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/at-eventide-2/
