Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/378

350 "GIVE THY DAY TO DUTY"

TWO OPTIMISTS

send fit thanks, I would I had the art,

For this small book that holds a mighty heart,

Enshrining, as it does, brave Helen's creed.

In thought and word; in many a lovely deed;

In facing what would crush a lesser soul,

Making of barriers helps to reach the goal;

In sympathy with all; in human kindness

To the blind of heart (dear girl! not this her blindness!),

As well as to her brethren of the dark

And silent world, who through her see and hark;

In bringing out of darkness a great light,

Which burns and beacons high in all men's sight,

That exquisite spirit is true optimist!

Yet there are other names in the bright list:

If faith in man and woman that still lasts,

Tho' chilled by seventy winters' bitter blasts;

If seeing, as you see, the good in evil,

And even something Christian in the devil;

If power to take misfortune as a friend

And to be cheerful to the darkening end;

Not to be spoiled by praise, nor deeply stung

By the detractor's sharp and envious tongue;