The poetical works of John Mitchell . CHICAGO:SHEPARD & JOHNSTON, PRINTERS. T& Copyright, 1883,By JOHN MITCHELL, ^// rights reserved. PEOEM. Since many a pilgrim up Parnassus plodsHis way, to reach its airy peak, and fails—Perhaps, because of wanting power innate,A requisite that cannot be acquired—Far up the dizzy height I dare not climb;Lest haply I should fall, and if needs, till spent, a hopeless life endureIn truceless discontent, and with the pity of the wise, and scoff of fools. Nor would I envy him who finds his name Within the Temple, on the roll of fame.

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The poetical works of John Mitchell . CHICAGO:SHEPARD & JOHNSTON, PRINTERS. T& Copyright, 1883,By JOHN MITCHELL, ^// rights reserved. PEOEM. Since many a pilgrim up Parnassus plodsHis way, to reach its airy peak, and fails—Perhaps, because of wanting power innate,A requisite that cannot be acquired—Far up the dizzy height I dare not climb;Lest haply I should fall, and if needs, till spent, a hopeless life endureIn truceless discontent, and with the pity of the wise, and scoff of fools. Nor would I envy him who finds his name Within the Temple, on the roll of fame. If at the cost of social earthly joys. Continuous toil, and hope deferred until The worlds applause, that wakes him from his dream, Shall be the prelude of his parting years. Far better would it be, through life to toil,And hazard brave, to reach the prize and fail,Than live a life of sensuality,And like a pampered brute forgotten die. Aye, though his aim be crossed, and labor lost,And he depart unpitied and

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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidpoeticalwork, bookyear1883