[BNP/E3, 77 – 78]

Agony

Resolution.

Why do I waste in dreams fruitless and vain

The substance of my youth in idle tears?.

Why do I count with feverish eye the years

And number with sad heart the ways of pain?

Why should I weep thus, since there is no gain

To me, to men from sighings and from fears?

Since from afar at me the future sneers,

The while the past with me cannot remain.

High Heaven, that errs not and that wills not wrong

To each on earth doth give a work to do,

A distant recompense and rest remote;

I'll to my work then, so God make me strong

To bring the Demons of mine own self to

Their knees, and take the Devil by the throat.

Alexander Search.

7^th May 1905.