Hopeless of all he dared to hope so long, The music born within him dies away; Even the song he loved becomes a pain, Full-freighted with a yearning … - Edmund Clarence Stedman

O, our feeble tests of greatness! Look for one so calm of soul As to take the even chalice of his life and drink the whole. Noble deeds are held in honor, but the wide world sorely needs Hearts of patience to unravel this, — the worth of common deeds.

The Vestal, with her silvery content,
⁠The Lesbian, with the passion and the pain, — Which creature hath their one Creator lent
⁠More light of heaven? Who would dare restrain
The beams of either? who the radiance mar
Of the white planet or the burning star?

Crops failed; wealth took a flight; house, treasure, land, Slipped from my hold—thus plenty comes and goes.
One friend I had, but he too loosed his hand (Or was it I?) the year I met with Rose.