Measure thy moral worth not by the dream
But by the deed; not by the high desire,
The beautiful intent, the lofty fire
That lights thy spirit with a fitful gleam.
Take heed lest thou deceive thyseIf, and deem
The duty done because thou didst aspire
Unto the doing. Be life whole, entire;
The dream subservient, the deed supreme.
Nevertheless, dream on, dear heart; dream deep.
Acres of roses yield one drop alone
Of precious attar, and to one poor deed
A thousand dreams conspired. Wherefore keep
Thy spirit-roses; thou canst spare not one.
Keep thou thy dreams — but follow where they load
Lena Kent [Lettice King] (1870 - 1962) Jamaica
Source: Anthology of the Poetry of the West Indies, W. Adolphe Roberts and Wycliffe Bennett (Editors), c. 1950
But by the deed; not by the high desire,
The beautiful intent, the lofty fire
That lights thy spirit with a fitful gleam.
Take heed lest thou deceive thyseIf, and deem
The duty done because thou didst aspire
Unto the doing. Be life whole, entire;
The dream subservient, the deed supreme.
Nevertheless, dream on, dear heart; dream deep.
Acres of roses yield one drop alone
Of precious attar, and to one poor deed
A thousand dreams conspired. Wherefore keep
Thy spirit-roses; thou canst spare not one.
Keep thou thy dreams — but follow where they load
Lena Kent [Lettice King] (1870 - 1962) Jamaica
Source: Anthology of the Poetry of the West Indies, W. Adolphe Roberts and Wycliffe Bennett (Editors), c. 1950
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