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ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students
Poetry Library

— Stephen Crane

I stood upon a high place,

And saw, below, many devils

Running, leaping,

And carousing in sin.

…

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adjective

Engaged in or ready for action; characterized by energetic work, thought, or speech.

“The students were very active in class discussions, asking many thoughtful questions.”

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XXI. 'FAINT YET PURSUING.'

40 lines
Coventry Patmore·1823–1896
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eroic Good, target for which the youngDream in their dreams that every bow is strung,And, missing, sighUnfruitful, or as disbelievers die,Thee having miss'd, I will not so revolt,But lowlier shoot my bolt,And lowlier still, if still I may not reach,And my proud stomach teachThat less than highest is good, and may be high.An even walk in life's uneven way,Though to have dreamt of flight and not to flyBe strange and sad,Is not a boon that's given to all who pray.If this I hadI'd envy none!Nay, trod I straight for oneYear, month or week,Should Heaven withdraw, and Satan me amerceOf power and joy, still would I seekAnother victory with a like reverse;Because the good of victory does not die,As dies the failure's curse,And what we have to gainIs, not one battle, but a weary life's campaign.Yet meaner lot being sentShould more than me content;Yea, if I lieAmong vile shards, though born for silver wings,In the strong flight and feathers goldOf whatsoever heavenward mounts and singsI must by admiration so complyThat there I should my own delight behold.Yea, though I sin each day times seven,And dare not lift the fearfullest eyes to Heaven,Thanks must I giveBecause that seven times are not eight or nine,And that my darkness is all mine,And that I liveWithin this oak-shade one more minute even,Hearing the winds their Maker magnify.
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