Poem by Richard Watson Gilder

The New Day. Part 2. 6. “There Is Nothing New under the Sun”

There is nothing new under the sun;
     ⁠There is no new hope or despair;
The agony just begun
⁠     Is as old as the earth and the air.
My secret soul of bliss
⁠     Is one with the singing stars,
And the ancient mountains miss
⁠     No hurt that my being mars.

I know as I know my life,
     ⁠I know as I know my pain,
That there is no lonely strife,
⁠     That he is mad who would gain
A separate balm for his woe,
     ⁠A single pity and cover;
The one great God I know
     ⁠Hears the same prayer over and over.

I know it because at the portal
⁠     Of Heaven I bowed and cried,
And I said: "Was ever a mortal
⁠     Thus crowned and crucified!
My praise Thou hast made my blame;
⁠     My best Thou hast made my worst;
My good Thou hast turned to shame;
⁠     My drink is a flaming thirst."

But scarce my prayer was said
     ⁠Ere from that place I turned;
I trembled, I hung my head,
     ⁠My cheek, shame-smitten, burned;
For there where I bowed down
     ⁠In my boastful agony,
I thought of thy cross and crown—
⁠     O Christ! I remembered thee.

1. The New Day. Part 3. 7. Body and Soul
2. The New Day. Part 4. 3. Likeness in Unlikeness
3. The New Day. Part 4. 7. Song (Years have flown since I knew thee first)
4. The New Day. Part 4. 10. The Violin
5. The New Day. Part 3. 9. Love's Jealousy

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