What of the Past remains to bless the Present?
The memory of good deeds.
But what of great ones? Ambition to ambition leads,
And, each step higher, but cries, ‘Aspire,’
And restless step to restless step succeeds.
What is the boasted bubble, reputation?
To-day it is the world's loud cry,
Which may to-morrow die,
Or roll from generation unto generation,
And magnify, and grow to fame,—
That quenchless glory round a great man's name.
What is the good man's adequate reward?
Sense of his rectitude, and felt beatitude
Of God's regard.