Poems (Sharpless)/Encouragement
For works with similar titles, see Encouragement.
ENCOURAGEMENT
Tread not with gloomy brow life's dusty way,
As one who bears a fardel on his back,
Nor heeds what flowers bloom, what soft winds play
Athwart his gray monotony of track.
Sayst thou thy lot is dark? There is no lack
Of sunshine all around—and e'en at night
Lift but thine eyes, what wonders of delight
Would woo thy spirit to a better cheer!
But, 'mid the beauty, ah! what pain is here
To comfort;—and alas! the feeble hands
To strengthen for the burdens they must bear!
Beside thee, ever, lo! thy brother stands.
Take heart;—the bliss of helping may be thine.
Nor can aught shut thee from the Love Divine.
As one who bears a fardel on his back,
Nor heeds what flowers bloom, what soft winds play
Athwart his gray monotony of track.
Sayst thou thy lot is dark? There is no lack
Of sunshine all around—and e'en at night
Lift but thine eyes, what wonders of delight
Would woo thy spirit to a better cheer!
But, 'mid the beauty, ah! what pain is here
To comfort;—and alas! the feeble hands
To strengthen for the burdens they must bear!
Beside thee, ever, lo! thy brother stands.
Take heart;—the bliss of helping may be thine.
Nor can aught shut thee from the Love Divine.