Page:The whistle maker, and other poems (IA whistlemakerothe00rick).pdf/17

 

He who walks upward to the light,
 * Must walk alone.

Condemned if he be wrong or right,
 * Condemned alone.

Unhelped by friends, beset by foes, Misunderstood, however he goes, Whether his life blood ebbs or flows,
 * He walks alone.

And if he loves, they doubt him still,
 * And turn away.

They fear he hopes to do them ill,
 * Or gain some sway.

And he, poor dreamer, struggles on Silent and sad, he seeks the dawn, Where they may stand when he is gone,
 * But seeks alone.

His foe who speaks with bitter tongue,
 * Is often heard.

He turns to friends when heart is wrung,
 * They doubt his word.

Seeing the light upon his way, Nor foe, nor friend may bid him stay, Hid from their sight, he stops to pray;
 * And walks alone.

February 7, 1914. 