Commonwealth
JOY of the sage and joy of the saint
That have pierced life’s inmost fold —
(You too are a soul, O blinded and faint)
Take that for your joy; be bold !
That have pierced life’s inmost fold —
(You too are a soul, O blinded and faint)
Take that for your joy; be bold !
Joy of the child in his pulse and brain,
In his human hand and voice —
(This in your blood is the human strain)
Take that for your joy; rejoice !
In his human hand and voice —
(This in your blood is the human strain)
Take that for your joy; rejoice !
Joy of the bird-flight over your head,
Joy of the grass in spring —
(You too are alive, that would fain be dead)
Take that for your joy, and sing !
Joy of the grass in spring —
(You too are alive, that would fain be dead)
Take that for your joy, and sing !
Joy of the wave in the south wind curled,
Joy of the stars and sun —
(You that repine are a drop of the world)
Take that for your joy ; march on !
Joy of the stars and sun —
(You that repine are a drop of the world)
Take that for your joy ; march on !
Alice Van Vliet.