Classic Poem

Stern duty calls and I, alas!
Must her behest obey,
Must now in strength myself surpass
Nor wavering thought betray.

It is, it must be fate's decree
That while I sojourn here
To be my lot to turn and flee
From all my heart holds dear.

To shun the thing my soul would prize,
At last within my grasp;
And pass with cold, averted eyes,
The hand I fain would clasp.

Why did I choose this life of pain?
Why do I live it still?
Why drink the dregs, and then again
The cup of sorrow fill?

I do not know, I cannot tell;
Nor why, along the road,
When from my back the burden fell
I took again the load.

I think I love the life of pain
That God has given to me;
For I would live it o'er again,
If such a thing could be.

The sorrows that have come to me
Have taught me how to find
The souls in need of sympathy—
The wrecks among mankind.