In sooth there is no lack of men like these In many places; but my friend doth mean A different thing; and if thou didst but know The life she led, thou wouldst speak otherwise. Where unused powers in full abundance dwell There love will cause the seed to germinate In rich abundance in the heart's good soil. But our friend here exhausted life's best powers In never-ending toil beyond her strength; And all her will to live lay crushed and dead Beneath the cruel weight of destiny, Which fell upon her. All her strength she gave To careful guidance of her children's weal: And low already had her courage ebbed When early death took her loved husband home. In such a state as this, days dull and drear Seemed all fate had in store whilst life remained. But then the powers of destiny prevailed To bring her 'neath the spell of spirit-lore; And soon with us she felt the vital force Of life break forth in her a second time. Fresh aims in life she found, and with them came Fresh courage once again to fight and strive. And thus in her the spirit hath achieved In very truth to fashion from decay A new and living personality. And when the spirit in such fruit as this Shows its creative potency, we learn Its nature, and the way it speaks to us. And, if no pride lies hidden in our speech, And highest moral aims live in our hearts; If we believe that in no way at all Our teaching is our own;--but that alone The spirit shows itself within our souls-- Then may we surely venture to assert That in thy mode of thinking may be found But feeble shadows waving to and fro Athwart the real true source of human life: And that the spirit, which ensouls our work Is linked in inward harmony with all That weaves the web of destiny for man Deep in the very fundaments of life. I have been privileged for many years To give myself to vital work in life: And during all this time more bleeding hearts And yearning souls have come before mine eyes, Than many would conceive were possible. I do esteem thy high ideal flight, The proud assurance of thy sciences: I like to see the student-audience, Respectful, sit and listen at thy feet: And that to many souls thy work doth bring Ennobling clarity of thought, I know. But yet regarding thought like this, it seems, Trustworthiness can only dwell therein So long as thought lives in itself alone. Whereas the realm of which I am a part Sends into deep realities of life The fruitage of its words, since it desires To plant in deep realities its roots. Far, far away from all thy thought doth lie The written word upon the spirit-heaven Which with momentous tokens doth announce New growth upon the tree of humankind. And though indeed such thought seems clear and sure