Harmonies (Howe collection)/The Waiting Deeds
THE WAITING DEEDS(H. K.)
Say not because the promised deed
Dropped from his hand undone,
His brow shall lack the laurel meed
That conquerors have won.
Dropped from his hand undone,
His brow shall lack the laurel meed
That conquerors have won.
For pain stood baffled by the smile
That marked him master still,
And we who wished him strength the while
Were stronger for his will.
That marked him master still,
And we who wished him strength the while
Were stronger for his will.
'T is deed enough for some to be.
Such deed his being was;
And still of potent act is he
The brave and gentle cause:
Such deed his being was;
And still of potent act is he
The brave and gentle cause:
The hearts that beat with his shall hold
The rhythm his life hath set;
With them through human paths untold
His spirit marcheth yet.
The rhythm his life hath set;
With them through human paths untold
His spirit marcheth yet.
And past the threshold where he stood
We see in cohorts dim
The thousand waiting deeds of good—
Now ours to do, for him!
We see in cohorts dim
The thousand waiting deeds of good—
Now ours to do, for him!