find us on FB

Henry O'Meara Ballads of America

Decoration

PROEMIAL

A SAGE who gleaned from all things inly gain,
   With test of load on load his pupil plied,
Till Labor's part came leagued with that of Pain -
"Enough," spoke he; "you've borne this grosser strain -
   Feel now the lesson's subtler weight beside:
Not by men's force alone is victory won -
   Allied must fortitude and effort be,
Great deeds by strength with suffering joined are done,
For dual ways of life merge these in one -
   Through each there lies but variance of degree;
Doing and bearing blend in shaded line,
   And high-lit power is reared on dim-wrought base,
Low toils in tears suffused exalted shine,
Achievements on endurance shaped define
   A free land's course - the road that lifts a race."
 

Decoration

PREFACE CONTENTS THE BOSTON MASSACRE

 

Edited and formatted by Sheldon Brown
updated Wednesday, April 19, 2000
URL: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/org/omeara/proemial.html
Copyright © 2000, 2007 Sheldon Brown