The Crown of Patience

There are three gifts of Heaven to primal man,
   Each gift a bond of duty,—simple Power,
   Courage, and Patience, and to each its hour
And task alloted since the worlds began.
“Work and create!" to Power the mandate ran,
   "And Earth subdued shall be thy marriage-dower."
   "Against the flood of battle, like a tower
Stand, or charge headlong like a hurricane!
And conquered realms shall crown thee, Courage bold."
   But Power may fail, and courage find no field,
   Or lean supinely on her broken shield,—
Then the still genius of a hardier mould,
   Patience,—the reticence of tongueless time,—
   Shall wear out fate, and far beyond the Pleiades climb!

When all life, crescent, like a waxing moon
   Moves forward into light, and Knowledge lends
   New strength to rude Power, while the great heart sends
A gentler blood to Courage,—late or soon
Doth waiting Patience find a kindred boon.
   Sublimed by Faith, her silent smile unbends
   The frown of adverse fortune,—making friends
Of the dark griefs that gloomed the sun at noon.
   Not now in dumb defiance she endures,
As might a wolf by savage lances torn;
   But songs of lofty cheer precede the morn.
And bring the day-beam that her trust assures;
   Only some trills of tenderer tenderness
   Bewray the inward pang to suffering souls they bless!