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Show THE WAITING ONES. To some 'tis given to stand and wait, And watch the green mold of decay Steal o'er their work, because stern Fate Has scourged them back and barred the way. Some lives stand ever on the brink Of joy. They wait through all life's day To see [unreadable] cut, and sink, And drag their [unreadable] tints to gray. They wait and watch some coming good That flings its radiance ahead. 'Twas for another; where they stood Falls but the shadow cold and dead. As starving children through a pane Watch others at some rich repast, They see each boon they craved in vain On happy [unreadable] favorites cast. To some 'tis given to wait and yearn Till faith slow smolders into doubt, Till love and faith to ashes turn, And all life's fires have burned out. Courage leaps? for valorous deeds, And time will wipe out sorrow's tears; But for the waiting heart's sore needs Patience grows threadbare through long years. Aye! If the lines grow hard and deep, And eyes grow cavernous that wait, 'Tis nobler far to wait and weep Than conquer worlds when helped by Fate. Brave, brave is he who bears his curse With courage and a cheerful heart; Who ever says, "It might be worse," And lifts his head when hopes depart. <br><br> Baltimore American. |