Richard Watson Gilder

The Celestial Passion. Part 2. 8. “Despise not thou”

Despise not thou thy father's ancient creed;
⁠Of his pure life it was the golden thread
⁠Whereon bright days were gathered, bead by bead,
⁠Till death laid low that dear and reverend head.
From olden faith how many a glorious deed
⁠Hath lit the world; its blood-stained banner led
⁠The martyrs heavenward; yea, it was the seed
⁠Of knowledge, whence our modern freedom spread.
Not always has man's credo proved a snare—
⁠But a deliverance, a sign, a flame
⁠To purify the dense and pestilent air,
Writing on pitiless heavens one pitying name;
⁠And 'neath the shadow of the dread eclipse
⁠It shines on dying eyes and pallid lips.