WHEN the motive is right and the will is strong There are no limits to human power; For that great Force back of us moves along And takes us with it, in trial’s hour.
And whatever the height you yearn to climb, Though it never was trod by the foot of man, And no matter how steep—I say you _can_, If you will be patient—and use your time.
_Sad man_, _Sad man_, _tell me_, _pray_, _What did you see to-day_?
I saw the unloved and unhappy old, waiting for slow delinquent death to come; Pale little children toiling for the rich, in rooms where sunlight is ashamed to go; The awful almshouse, where the living dead rot slowly in their hideous open graves. And there were shameful things. Soldiers and forts, and industries of death, and devil-ships, and loud-winged devil-birds, All bent on slaughter and destruction. These and yet more shameful things mine eyes beheld: Old men upon lascivious conquest bent, and young men living with no thought of God, And half-clothed women puffing at a weed, aping the vices of the underworld, Engrossed in shallow pleasures and intent on being barren wives. These things I saw. (How God must loathe His earth!)
_Glad man_, _Glad man_, _tell me_, _pray_. _What did you see to-day_?
I saw an agèd couple, in whose eyes Shone that deep light of mingled love and faith, Which makes the earth one room of paradise, And leaves no sting in death.
I saw vast regiments of children pour, Rank after rank, out of the schoolroom door By Progress mobilised. They seemed to say: ‘Let ignorance make way. We are the heralds of a better day.’
I saw the college and the church that stood For all things sane and good. I saw God’s helpers in the shop and slum Blazing a path for health and hope to come, And True Religion, from the grave of creeds, Springing to meet man’s needs.
I saw great Science reverently stand And listen for a sound from Border-land, No longer arrogant with unbelief— Holding itself aloof— But drawing near, and searching high and low For that complete and all-convincing proof Which shall permit its voice to comfort grief, Saying, ‘We know.’
I saw fair women in their radiance rise And trample old traditions in the dust. Looking in their clear eyes, I seemed to hear these words as from the skies: ‘He who would father our sweet children must Be worthy of the trust.’