Page:The Poems and Prose remains of Arthur Hugh Clough, volume 2 (1869).djvu/25

 Come back again, my olden heart! I said, Perceptions contradict, Convictions come, anon depart, And but themselves as false convict. Assumptions, hasty, crude and vain, Full oft to use will Science deign; The corks the novice plies to-day The swimmer soon shall cast away.

Come back again, my olden heart! I said, Behold, I perish quite, Unless to give me strength to start, I make myself my rule of right: It must be, if I act at all, To save my shame I have at call The plea of all men understood,— Because 1 willed it, it is good.

Come back again, my olden heart! I know not if in very deed This means alone could aid impart To serve my sickly spirit's need; But clear alike of wild self-will, And fear that faltered, paltered still, Remorseful thoughts of after days A way espy betwixt the ways.

Come back again, old heart! Ah me! Methinks in those thy coward fears There might, perchance, a courage be, That fails in these the manlier years; Courage to let the courage sink, Itself a coward base to think, Rather than not for heavenly light Wait on to show the truly right.