Public-domain source text

Bitter-Sweet

by Henry van Dyke Jr.

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/henry-van-dyke-jr_poetry

Just to give up, and trust All to a Fate unknown, Plodding along life’s road in the dust, Bounded by walls of stone; Never to have a heart at peace; Never to see when care will cease; Just to be still when sorrows fall⁠— This is the bitterest lesson of all.
Just to give up, and rest All on a Love secure, Out of a world that’s hard at the best, Looking to heaven as sure; Ever to hope, through cloud and fear, In darkest night, that the dawn is near; Just to wait at the Master’s feet⁠— Surely, now, the bitter is sweet.

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This is a source transcription from Standard Ebooks, published in Past Poetry’s public-domain archive without line-by-line editorial notes. Public-domain source edition. Availability can vary by territory.

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