Classic Poem

XXXI.

" And all that Athens breathed of high and true,
With soaring thought and finely moulded speech,
In our dear Lord to Act and Being grew,
Whose Life was more than words could ever teach,

XXXII.

" A Heart that beat for every human wo,
A Choice in holiest purpose pure and strong,
A Truth, sole morning-Light of all below,
A Love triumphant over deadliest wrong.

XXXIII.

" In Him thy God, O Plato, dwelt on earth,
An open Presence, clear of earthly ill;
The Life which drew from him its heavenly birth,
In all who seek renews his perfect Will.

XXXIV.

" So have we Suffering, so a Trust like His,
So large Repentance born with many a thro,
So zeal untired to better all that is,
And peace of spirit even here below.

XXXV.

" Then be it mine the Cross with him to bear,
And leave the flowery shades of Academe;
With him go mourning through the infected air
Of grief and sin, and drink his bitter stream.

XXXVI.

" So clearness, meekness, and unfaltering might,
Ungained, though bravely sought, O! sage, by thee,
Shall be my starry chaplet in the night,
And in the coming dawn my crown shall be. "

XXXVII.

Quick changed the darkening hour; the reign was done;
The princely crowds were shrunk away or dead;
The prison closed in gloom, and hid the sun;
And sank in dust, the fair, the youthful head.