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.