Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891.
ImmortalityAmos Bronson Alcott (1799–1888)
W
From youth’s exchequer to enrich old age!
What ample pension freely forth she deals,
To gild with glory his gay equipage;
Whilst o’er Time’s track slow roll his chariot wheels,
Then Heaven’s gate enter. He, his heritage
Of Life receiving, breaks the sacred seals—
High privilege, sole given to saint and sage!
Life were but ashes, and one holocaust,
If no fair future welcomed from its goal,
No gate swung open to admit us: lost
Were all companionship, and blank the soul.
Ah! dead to all Life holds and knows its own,
If youth survive not and uphold his throne.