Richard Watson Gilder

The New Day. Part 4. 17. “He Knows Not the Path of Duty”

He knows not the path of duty
⁠     Who says that the way is sweet;
But he who is blind to the beauty,
     ⁠And finds but thorns for his feet.

He alone is the perfect giver
     ⁠Who swears that his gift is naught;
And he is the sure receiver
     ⁠Who gains what he never sought.

Heaven from the hopeless doubter
⁠     The true believer makes;
Against the darkness outer
     ⁠The light God's likeness takes.

Like the pale, cold moon above her
⁠     With its heart of the heart of fire,
My Love is the one true lover,
⁠     And hers is the soul of desire.