Poems (Robert Underwood Johnson)/Written in Emerson's Poems
WRITTEN IN EMERSON'S POEMS(FOR A CHILD)
Midnight or morning, eve or noon,
Torn March or clover-scented June,—
Whene'er you stand before this gate,
'T will open—if but not too soon
You knock, if only not too late.
Torn March or clover-scented June,—
Whene'er you stand before this gate,
'T will open—if but not too soon
You knock, if only not too late.
Well shall it be if, boyhood gone,
A boy's delight you still may own
To play the dawn-new game of life,—
If what is dreamed and what is known
In your still-startled heart have strife.
A boy's delight you still may own
To play the dawn-new game of life,—
If what is dreamed and what is known
In your still-startled heart have strife.
Ere you have banished Mystery,
Or throned Distrust, or less shall be
Stirred by the deep and fervent line
Which is the poet's sign and fee:
Be this your joy that now is mine.
Or throned Distrust, or less shall be
Stirred by the deep and fervent line
Which is the poet's sign and fee:
Be this your joy that now is mine.
When comes the hour, be full and bright
Your lamp, as the wiser virgins' light!
Choose some familiar, shrine-like nook,
And offer up in prayer the night
Upon the altar of this book.
Your lamp, as the wiser virgins' light!
Choose some familiar, shrine-like nook,
And offer up in prayer the night
Upon the altar of this book.
Always new earth, new heavens lie
The apocalyptic spirit nigh:
If such be yours, oh, while you can,
Bid unregretted Youth good-bye,
For morning shall proclaim you Man.
The apocalyptic spirit nigh:
If such be yours, oh, while you can,
Bid unregretted Youth good-bye,
For morning shall proclaim you Man.