I stood before the bars of Fate
And bowed my head disconsolate;
So high they seemed, so fierce their frown,
I thought no hand could break them down.

Beyond them I could hear the songs
Of valiant men who marched in throngs;
And joyful women, fair and free,
Looked back and waved their hands to me.

I did not cry " Too late! Too late! "
Nor strive to rise, or rail at Fate,
Nor pray to God. My coward heart,
Contented, played its foolish part.

So still I sat, the tireless bee
Sped o'er my head with scorn for me,
And birds who built their nests in air
Beheld me, as I were not there.

From twig to twig, before my face
The spiders wove their curious lace,
As they a curtain fine would see
Between the hindering bars and me.

Then sudden change! I heard the call
Of wind and wave and waterfall;
From heaven above and earth below
Came clear command — " Arise and go! "

I upward sprang in all my strength,
And stretched my eager hands at length
To break the bars — no bars were there;
My fingers fell through empty air!

I stood before the bars of Fate
And bowed my head disconsolate;
So high they seemed, so fierce their frown,
I thought no hand could break them down.

Beyond them I could hear the songs
Of valiant men who marched in throngs;
And joyful women, fair and free,
Looked back and waved their hands to me.

I did not cry " Too late! Too late! "
Nor strive to rise, or rail at Fate,
Nor pray to God. My coward heart,
Contented, played its foolish part.

So still I sat, the tireless bee
Sped o'er my head with scorn for me,
And birds who built their nests in air
Beheld me, as I were not there.

From twig to twig, before my face
The spiders wove their curious lace,
As they a curtain fine would see
Between the hindering bars and me.

Then sudden change! I heard the call
Of wind and wave and waterfall;
From heaven above and earth below
Came clear command — " Arise and go! "

I upward sprang in all my strength,
And stretched my eager hands at length
To break the bars — no bars were there;
My fingers fell through empty air!