Poems (Van Rensselaer)/When it is Dark
WHEN IT IS DARK
Is the night black
On the rough slope,
Sunless and moonless the steep track?
Light flaming stars of hope
Upon the cloud that shadows thee.
On the rough slope,
Sunless and moonless the steep track?
Light flaming stars of hope
Upon the cloud that shadows thee.
Do they burn low?
Feed other fire:
Let toil's great anvil flare and glow,
Let charity aspire,
And sacrifice blaze fervently.
Feed other fire:
Let toil's great anvil flare and glow,
Let charity aspire,
And sacrifice blaze fervently.
Do these grow pale
In the night-damp?
When even love and labor fail,
Hold high, hold high the lamp
Of fortitude, and thou shalt see.
In the night-damp?
When even love and labor fail,
Hold high, hold high the lamp
Of fortitude, and thou shalt see.