Poem by John Townsend Trowbridge

Circumstance

STALKING before the lords of life, one came,
  A Titan shape! But often he will crawl,
  Their most subservient, helpful humble thrall;
Swift as the light, or sluggish, laggard, lame;
Stony-eyed archer, launching without aim
  Arrows and lightnings, heedless how they fall,--
  Blind Circumstance, that makes or baffles all,
Happiness, length of days, power, riches, fame.
Could we but take each winged chance aright!
  A timely word let fall, a wind-blown germ,
    May crown our glebe with many a golden sheaf; 
A thought may touch and edge our life with light,
  Fill all its sphere, as yonder crescent worm
    Brightens upon the old moon's dusky leaf.

1. Dorothy in the Garret
2. Recollections of «Lalla Rookh»
3. The Boy I Love
4. A Home Idyl
5. Old Man Gram

Ella Wilcox Circumstance ("Talk not to me of souls that do conceive")

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