Classic Poem

Word untrue! That All can ne'er
Have its close and destiny here.
All that can be o'er on earth
Is the shifting cloudland's birth;
Dream and shadow, mist and error,
Joy unblest, and nightmare terror—
Passions blent in ghostly play,
Twinklings of a gusty day—
Glittering sights that vaguely roll,
Catch the eye, but mock the soul—
Griefs and hopes ill understood,
Tyrants of man's weaker mood,
Folly's loved, portentous brood—
These, and all the aims they cherish,
In their native tomb may perish.
Phantoms shapeless, huge, and wild,
That beset the greybeard child—
Loud usurpers, fierce and mean,
Ruling an unstable scene;
Blinding hate, and gnawing lust,
Lies that cheat our wiser trust,
These may cleave to formless dust;
But the earth, oppressed so long
By the heavy steps of Wrong,
Sends an awful voice on high
With a keen accusing cry,
And appeals to him whose lore
Tells—the All can ne'er be o'er.