AH me, I am a singer, and no seer!
I cannot pierce the clouds which gather chill,
I can but lift a voice too faint to fill
The darkness, or to cheat my lonely fear.
Is the night wearing? Is the morning near?
Lives any hope of help or comfort still?
Hath any strength of heart to scale the hill
And tell us of the signs which thence appear?

The battle is for ever; Life and Death,
Darkness and Light, and nowhere settled peace,
But all who live must breathe unquiet breath,
Hunger and agonise, or wholly cease;
And for the hour, the soothest watchman saith
He knoweth not if day or night increase.