LILY ALICE LEFEVRE
WITHIN, a panic stricken throngThat sudden fear appals,In blindest fury crashing closeWide doors to rigid walls—A wild fierce struggle, life or death,Each holding ground with gasping breathUntil the weaker falls,—Each inch of room a battle-fieldWhere one exults and one must yield.Without, the boundless earth and air,The depths of starry space,Vast oceans that the strong white moonUplifts to her embrace;Free winds of heaven blowing light,Far planets wheeling through the nightTo their appointed place,—Marvels unseen to captives there,Imprisoned by their own despair.Within the gloomy walls of DoubtFierce factions wage their war;Fair Hope lies slain where they have setNegation's iron bar.Pent in their narrow bounds they cry,"No stars, no sky,—we struggle, die,And know not why we are."Oh, self-immured! ye cannot see?Stand back!—your brother shall be free.Stand back!—from 'neath your trampling feetThe young, the weak shall rise.Their white lips breathe in silent painThe prayer your pride denies;Their pale hands clasp the faded flowersOf faith that bloomed in happier hoursBeneath their childhood's skies.Oh, still for these within your wallsMay justice, truth and self-controlSet wide the gateways of the soulTo where, beyond, God's glory callsMan's spirit to its goal.
WITHIN, a panic stricken throngThat sudden fear appals,In blindest fury crashing closeWide doors to rigid walls—A wild fierce struggle, life or death,Each holding ground with gasping breathUntil the weaker falls,—Each inch of room a battle-fieldWhere one exults and one must yield.Without, the boundless earth and air,The depths of starry space,Vast oceans that the strong white moonUplifts to her embrace;Free winds of heaven blowing light,Far planets wheeling through the nightTo their appointed place,—Marvels unseen to captives there,Imprisoned by their own despair.Within the gloomy walls of DoubtFierce factions wage their war;Fair Hope lies slain where they have setNegation's iron bar.Pent in their narrow bounds they cry,"No stars, no sky,—we struggle, die,And know not why we are."Oh, self-immured! ye cannot see?Stand back!—your brother shall be free.Stand back!—from 'neath your trampling feetThe young, the weak shall rise.Their white lips breathe in silent painThe prayer your pride denies;Their pale hands clasp the faded flowersOf faith that bloomed in happier hoursBeneath their childhood's skies.Oh, still for these within your wallsMay justice, truth and self-controlSet wide the gateways of the soulTo where, beyond, God's glory callsMan's spirit to its goal.
WITHIN, a panic stricken throngThat sudden fear appals,In blindest fury crashing closeWide doors to rigid walls—A wild fierce struggle, life or death,Each holding ground with gasping breathUntil the weaker falls,—Each inch of room a battle-fieldWhere one exults and one must yield.
WITHIN, a panic stricken throng
That sudden fear appals,
In blindest fury crashing close
Wide doors to rigid walls—
A wild fierce struggle, life or death,
Each holding ground with gasping breath
Until the weaker falls,—
Each inch of room a battle-field
Where one exults and one must yield.
Without, the boundless earth and air,The depths of starry space,Vast oceans that the strong white moonUplifts to her embrace;Free winds of heaven blowing light,Far planets wheeling through the nightTo their appointed place,—Marvels unseen to captives there,Imprisoned by their own despair.
Without, the boundless earth and air,
The depths of starry space,
Vast oceans that the strong white moon
Uplifts to her embrace;
Free winds of heaven blowing light,
Far planets wheeling through the night
To their appointed place,—
Marvels unseen to captives there,
Imprisoned by their own despair.
Within the gloomy walls of DoubtFierce factions wage their war;Fair Hope lies slain where they have setNegation's iron bar.Pent in their narrow bounds they cry,"No stars, no sky,—we struggle, die,And know not why we are."Oh, self-immured! ye cannot see?Stand back!—your brother shall be free.
Within the gloomy walls of Doubt
Fierce factions wage their war;
Fair Hope lies slain where they have set
Negation's iron bar.
Pent in their narrow bounds they cry,
"No stars, no sky,—we struggle, die,
And know not why we are."
Oh, self-immured! ye cannot see?
Stand back!—your brother shall be free.
Stand back!—from 'neath your trampling feetThe young, the weak shall rise.Their white lips breathe in silent painThe prayer your pride denies;Their pale hands clasp the faded flowersOf faith that bloomed in happier hoursBeneath their childhood's skies.Oh, still for these within your wallsMay justice, truth and self-controlSet wide the gateways of the soulTo where, beyond, God's glory callsMan's spirit to its goal.
Stand back!—from 'neath your trampling feet
The young, the weak shall rise.
Their white lips breathe in silent pain
The prayer your pride denies;
Their pale hands clasp the faded flowers
Of faith that bloomed in happier hours
Beneath their childhood's skies.
Oh, still for these within your walls
May justice, truth and self-control
Set wide the gateways of the soul
To where, beyond, God's glory calls
Man's spirit to its goal.