Page:Poems, Household Edition, Emerson, 1904.djvu/299

Rh There is no record left on earth,

Save in tablets of the heart,

Of the rich inherent worth,

Of the grace that on him shone,

Of eloquent lips, of joyful wit:

He could not frame a word unfit,

An act unworthy to be done;

Honor prompted every glance,

Honor came and sat beside him,

In lowly cot or painful road,

And evermore the cruel god

Cried "Onward!" and the palm-crown showed,

Born for success he seemed,

With grace to win, with heart to hold,

With shining gifts that took all eyes,

With budding power in college-halls,

As pledged in coming days to forge

Weapons to guard the State, or scourge

Tyrants despite their guards or walls.

On his young promise Beauty smiled,

Drew his free homage unbeguiled,

And prosperous Age held out his hand,

And richly his large future planned,

And troops of friends enjoyed the tide,—

All, all was given, and only health denied.

I see him with superior smile

Hunted by Sorrow's grisly train

In lands remote, in toil and pain,