Classic Poem

" A LITTLE further on —
There will be time — I shall find rest anon: "
Thus do we say, when eager youth invites
Young Hope to try her wings in wanton flights,
And nimble Fancy builds the soul a nest
On some far crag: — But soon youth's flame is gone,
Burned lightly out, while we repeat the jest,
With smiling confidence, — " I shall find rest,
A little further on. "

" A little further on
I shall find rest " — half-fiercely, we avow,
When noon beats on the dusty field, and Care
Threats to unjoint our armor, and the glare
Throbs with the pulse of battle, while life's best
Flies with the flitting stars — the frenzied brow
Pains for the laurel, more than for the breast
Where love, soft-nestling, waits. Not now! not now!
With feverish breath we cry — " I shall find rest
A little further on. "

" A little further on
I shall find rest " — half-sad, at last, we say.
When sorrow's settling cloud blurs out the gleam
Of Glory's torch, and, to a vanished dream
Love's palace hath been turned; then, all depressed,
Despairing, sick at heart, we may not stay
Our weary feet — so lonely then doth seem
This shadow-haunted world — we, so unblest,
Weep not, to see the grave, which waits its guest;
And, feeling round our feet, the cool sweet clay,
We speak the fading world, farewell, and say,
" Not on this side, alas! — I shall find rest,
A little further on. "