But to Be Still! Oh, But to Cease Awhile
But to be still! oh, but to cease awhile
The panting breath and hurrying steps of life,
The sights, the sounds, the struggle, and the strife
Of hourly being; the sharp, biting file
Of action, fretting on the tightened chain
Of rough existence all that is not pain,
But utter weariness; oh to be free
But for a while from conscious entity!
To shut the banging doors and windows wide,
Of restless sense, and let the soul abide
Darkly and stilly, for a little space,
Gathering its strength up to pursue the race;
O heavens! to rest a moment, but to rest
From this quick, gasping life, were to be blest!
