Classic Poem

Earth is a prey of the hours
Life is dividing of days
Sorrow and happiness fly
Vanish dishonour and praise
Yet, toil we on toward something that lieth before our way,

Yearnings are shattered and healed
Battles are lost and are won
All the old visions are dead
All the old faces are gone
Only remains on the Earth the voice that is crying “on!”

Vanish the echoes of feet
That once in my chamber have trod
Die in the darkness without
With the silence of death they are shod
All but the roll and the march of the measureless purpose of God.

Hearts that were near unto mine
Lie far, with a waste between
Coldness is in the eyes
Where tenderness once has been
All but the Heart that is true and the face that I never have seen.

Friends may be round me still
Yet in full many a one
Something there is till
Our happiest days are gone
Only remain on the Earth the voice that is crying “on”

Vanish the love of the past
Vanish the friends of to-day
But moveth a presence within me
That is stronger and truer than men
God of my Soul! My God! Thou wilt not vanish away.