Up Hill

Does the road wind up hill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Will the day’s journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my friend. But is there for the night a resting-place? A roof for when the slow dark hours begin. May not the darkness hide it from my face? You cannot miss that inn. Shall I meet other wayfarers at night? Those who have gone before. Then must I knock, or call when just in sight? They will not keep you standing at that door. Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak? Of labor you shall find the sum. Will there be beds for me and all who seek? Yea, beds for all who come.

Collection: 
1850
Sub Title: 
VI. Human Experience

More from Poet

Does the road wind up hill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Will the day’s journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my friend. But is there for the night a resting-place? A roof for when the slow dark hours begin. May not the darkness hide it from my face? You...

The Flesh “sweet, thou art pale.” “More pale to see, Christ hung upon the cruel tree And bore his Father’s wrath for me.” “Sweet, thou art sad.” “Beneath a rod More heavy Christ for my sake trod The wine-press of the wrath of God.” “Sweet, thou art...

The Year stood at its equinox, And bluff the North was blowing, A bleat of lambs came from the flocks, Green hardy things were growing; I met a maid with shining locks Where milky kine were lowing. She wore a kerchief on her neck, Her bare arm showed its dimple, Her apron spread without...

Dear Lord, let me recount to Thee Some of the great things thou hast done For me, even me Thy little one. It was not I that cared for Thee,— But Thou didst set Thy heart upon Me, even me Thy little one. And therefore was it sweet to Thee To leave Thy Majesty and Throne, And...

Come to me in the silence of the night;
Come in the speaking silence of a dream;
Come with soft rounded cheeks and eyes as bright
As sunlight on a stream;
Come back in tears,
O memory of hope, love of finished years.

O dream how sweet, too sweet, too bitter-...