To My Own Soul

(Composed at Ridgely Manor, New York, in 1899.)▶

Hold yet a while, Strong Heart, Not part a lifelong yoke Though blighted looks the present, future gloom.▶

And age it seems since you and I began our March up hill or down. Sailing smooth o'er Seas that are so rare — Thou nearer unto me, than oft-times I myself — Proclaiming mental moves before they were!▶

Reflector true — Thy pulse so timed to mine, Thou perfect note of thoughts, however fine — Shall we now part, Recorder, say?▶

In thee is friendship, faith, For thou didst warn when evil thoughts were brewing — And though, alas, thy warning thrown away, Went on the same as ever — good and true.▶