Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/38

10 VI—"THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN"

is nothing new under the sun;

There is no new hope or despair;

The agony just begun

Is as old as the earth and the air.

My secret soul of bliss

Is one with the singing stars,

And the ancient mountains miss

No hurt that my being mars.

I know as I know my life,

I know as I know my pain,

That there is no lonely strife,

That he is mad who would gain

A separate balm for his woe,

A single pity and cover;

The one great God I know

Hears the same prayer over and over.

I know it because at the portal

Of Heaven I bowed and cried,

And I said: "Was ever a mortal

Thus crowned and crucified!

My praise Thou hast made my blame;

My best Thou hast made my worst;

My good Thou hast turned to shame;

My drink is a flaming thirst."

But scarce my prayer was said

Ere from that place I turned;

I trembled, I hung my head,

My cheek, shame-smitten, burned;