Collected Poems

The Just Man

Where is the man whom hope nor fear can move?
    Him the wise Gods approve.
The man divine of motive pure and steadfast will
        Unbent to ill,

Whose way is plain nor swerves for power or gold
    The high, straight path to hold:—
Him only wise the wise Gods deem, him pure of lust;
        Him only just.

Tho' men give rubies, tho' they bring a prize
    Sweeter than Helen's eyes—
Yea, costlier things than these things were, they shall not win
        That man to sin.

Tho' the strong lords of earth his doom desire,
    He shall not heed their ire,
Nor shall the numerous commons' stormy voice compel
        His heart nor quell.

Tho' Ocean all her purple pride unroll,
    It stirs, not shakes his soul.
He sees the billows lift their cowled heads on high
        With undimmed eye.

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Pure fields he sees and groves of calm delight;
    He turns into the night.
Hell is before; the swords await him; friends betray;
        He holds his way.

He shall not fear tho' heaven in lightnings fall
    Nor thunder's furious call,
Nor earthquake nor the sea: tho' fire, tho' flood assail,
        He shall not quail.

Tho' God tear out the heavens like a page
    And break the hills for rage,
Blot out the sun from being and all the great stars quench,
        He will not blench.

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