Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
III. Faith: Hope: Love: ServiceService
Robert Browning (18121889)From “Pippa Passes”
A
If now, as formerly he trod
Paradise, his presence fills
Our earth, each only as God wills
Can work—God’s puppets, best and worst,
Are we; there is no last nor first.
Costs it more pain than this, ye call
A “great event,” should come to pass,
Than that? Untwine me from the mass
Of deeds which make up life, one deed
Power shall fall short in or exceed!