Poem: “The Enthusiast” by Herman Melville

Poems From Timoleon

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American Literature – American Poetry – Herman Melville – Poems by Herman Melville – Poems From Timoleon
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The Enthusiast

“Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him.”

Shall hearts that beat no base retreat
    In youth’s magnanimous years—
Ignoble hold it, if discreet
    When interest tames to fears;
Shall spirits that worship light
    Perfidious deem its sacred glow,
    Recant, and trudge where worldlings go,
Conform and own them right?

Shall Time with creeping influence cold
    Unnerve and cow? the heart
Pine for the heartless ones enrolled
    With palterers of the mart?
Shall faith abjure her skies,
    Or pale probation blench her down
    To shrink from Truth so still, so lone
Mid loud gregarious lies?

Each burning boat in Caesar’s rear,
    Flames—No return through me!
So put the torch to ties though dear,
    If ties but tempters be.
Nor cringe if come the night:
    Walk through the cloud to meet the pall,
    Though light forsake thee, never fall
From fealty to light.

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American Literature – American Poetry – Herman Melville – Poems by Herman Melville – Poems From Timoleon

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Poems From Timoleon

The Enthusiast

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