I hold that when a person dies
\nHis soul returns again to earth;
\nArrayed in some new flesh-disguise
\nAnother mother gives him birth.
\nWith sturdier limbs and brighter brain
\nThe old soul takes the road again.
\nSuch is my own belief and trust;
\nThis hand, this hand that holds the pen,
\nHas many a hundred times been dust
\nAnd turned, as dust, to dust again;
\nThese eyes of mine have blinked and shown
\nIn Thebes, in Troy, in Babylon.
\nAll that I rightly think or do,
\nOr make, or spoil, or bless, or blast,
\nIs curse or blessing justly due
\nFor sloth or effort in the past.
\nMy life’s a statement of the sum
\nOf vice indulged, or overcome.
\nI know that in my lives to be
\nMy sorry heart will ache and burn,
\nAnd worship, unavailingly,
\nThe woman whom I used to spurn,
\nAnd shake to see another have
\nThe love I spurned, the love she gave.
\nAnd I shall know, in angry words,
\nIn gibes, and mocks, and many a tear,
\nA carrion flock of homing-birds,
\nThe gibes and scorns I uttered here.
\nThe brave word that I failed to speak
\nWill brand me dastard on the cheek.
\nAnd as I wander on the roads
\nI shall be helped and healed and blessed;
\nDear words shall cheer and be as goads
\nTo urge to heights before unguessed.
\nMy road shall be the road I made;
\nAll that I gave shall be repaid.
\nSo shall I fight, so shall I tread,
\nIn this long war beneath the stars;
\nSo shall a glory wreathe my head,
\nSo shall I faint and show the scars,
\nUntil this case, this clogging mould,
\nBe smithied all to kingly gold.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I hold that when a person dies His soul returns again to earth; Arrayed in some new flesh-disguise Another mother gives him birth. With sturdier limbs and brighter brain The old soul takes the road again. Such is my own belief and trust; This hand, this hand that holds the pen, Has many a hundred … <\/p>\n