Work

What though the heart be tired,

The heart, that long aspired,

And one high dream desired,

Beyond attainment's scope;

Beyond our grasp; above us;

The dream we would have love us,

That will know nothing of us,

But merely bids us hope.

Still it behooves us never

From love and work to sever,

To hold to one endeavor,

And make our dream our care:

For work, at dawn and even,

Shapes for the soul a heaven,

Wherein, as strong as seven,

Can enter no Despair.

Work, that blows high the fire

Of hope and heart's desire,

And sings and dreams of higher

Things than the world's regard:

Work, which to long endeavor,

And patient love, that never

Seems recompensed, forever

Gives, in its way, reward.