O the sunny days before us, before us, before us, <br />When all was bright <br />From holt to height, <br />And the heavens were shining o'er us; <br />When sound and scent, with vision blent, <br />Wingèd Hope, and perched Content, <br />Joys that came, and ills that went, <br />Seemed singing all in chorus. <br /> <br />O the dreary days behind us, behind us, behind us, <br />When all is dark, <br />And care, and cark, <br />Or transient gleams remind us <br />Of fruitless sighs, averted eyes, <br />Baffled hopes and loosened ties, <br />Pain that lingers, time that flies, <br />And the hot tears come and blind us. <br /> <br />Oh! is there nought beyond us, beyond us, beyond us, <br />When all the dead, <br />The changed, the fled, <br />Will rise, and look as fond as <br />Ere Faith put out, and Love in rout, <br />Foes with vigour, friends without, <br />Pique and rancour, make us doubt <br />Hoc tolerare pondus?<br /><br />Alfred Austin<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/before-behind-and-beyond/
