Classic Poem

Yes, this is our reward.—Not life's fair dreams,
But the new-wakened and majestic sense
That after silent years of pain intense
Light, marvellous light, behind the hill-top gleams.
Not by life's pleasant blossom-bordered streams
To find our long-delayed large recompence,
But in soul-thrilling joy that through the dense
Dark worldly clogging air with golden beams
Darts on a sudden downward:—the wild hope
That not much longer shall this pain endure,—
This agony of fierce desire to cope
With all love's foes in wrestle close and sure;
That Fate shall free, ere long, our long-leashed breath
For the great charge along the slopes of death.