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WINTER WHEAT.
Thrilled by the thought of undelaying Spring,
The little emerald blades unfold to greet
Their promised heritage of sun and heat,
With life's wild rapture eager, hastening;
How should they know that Winter yet must bring
Its icy chains to bind the tender feet—
That driving storms of snow and chilling sleet
And javelins of frost shall smite and sting?
Thou, too, O eager heart, that dost aspire
To bring to harvest thy perfected grain,
And reach thy promised heritage of higher
Endowment, must be swept by storms of pain—
Must know the anguish of delayed desire
And feel the biting tooth of cold disdain!
