Dream the Great Dream

DREAM the Great Dream, though you should dream—you, only,And friendless follow in the lofty quest.Though the dream lead you to a desert lonely,Or drive you, like the tempest, without rest,Yet, toiling upward to the highest altar,There lay before the gods your gift supreme,—A human heart whose courage did not falterThough distant as Arcturus shone the Gleam.

The Gleam?—Ah, question not if others see it,Who nor the yearning nor the passion share;Grieve not if children of the earth decree it—The earth, itself,—their goddess, only fair!The soul has need of prophet and redeemer:Her outstretched wings against her prisoning bars,She waits for truth; and truth is with the dreamer,—Persistent as the myriad light of stars!