Classic Poem

Tho' day by day old hopes depart,
Yet other hopes arise
If still we bear a hopeful heart
And forward-looking eyes.

Of all that entered hand in hand
With me the dusty plains —
Look round! — not one remains,
Not one remains of all the jovial band.

Some fell behind, some hastened on;
Some, scattered far and wide,
Sought lands on every side;
One way or other, all the band are gone.

Yes, all are gone; and yet, at night,
New objects of desire
People the sunken fire
And new hopes whisper sweetly new delight;

And still, flush-faced, new goals I see,
New finger-posts I find,
And still thro' rain and wind
A troop of shouting hopes keep step with me.

Tho' day by day old hopes depart,
Yet other hopes arise
If still we bear a hopeful heart
And forward-looking eyes.