The Enthusiast

"Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him."     Shall hearts that beat no base retreat     In youth's magnanimous years--     Ignoble hold it, if discreet     When interest tames to fears;     Shall spirits that worship light     Perfidious deem its sacred glow,     Recant, and trudge where worldlings go,     Conform and own them right?     Shall Time with creeping influence cold     Unnerve and cow? the heart     Pine for the heartless ones enrolled     With palterers of the mart?     Shall faith abjure her skies,     Or pale probation blench her down     To shrink from Truth so still, so lone     Mid loud gregarious lies?     Each burning boat in Caesar's rear,     Flames--No return through me!     So put the torch to ties though dear,     If ties but tempters be.     Nor cringe if come the night:     Walk through the cloud to meet the pall,     Though light forsake thee, never fall     From fealty to light.