Page:Thoreau - As remembered by a young friend.djvu/142

 or Herbert's “Constancie,” — to one who knew Henry Thoreau well, whose image would more quickly arise than his? Does one need to labor to prove that he had a religion?

Read his acknowledgment of the sudden coming of spiritual help, — “It comes in Summer's broadest noon. &ensp;By a grey wall, in some chance place, &ensp;Unseasoning time, insulting June, &ensp;And vexing day with its presuming face. “I hearing get, who had but ears. &ensp;And sight, who had but eyes before; &ensp;I moments live, who lived but years. &ensp;And truth discern, who knew but learning's lore. “I will not doubt the love untold. &ensp;Which not my worth or want hath bought, &ensp;Which woed me young, and woes me old. &ensp;And to this evening hath me brought.” Thoreau was but forty-four years old when he died. Even his health could not throw off a chill got by long stooping in