This Is All
by Alice Cary
Trying, trying -- always trying --
Falling down to save a fall;
Living by the dint of dying, --
This is all!
Giving, giving -- always giving --
Gathering just abroad to cast;
Dying by the dint of living
At the last!
Sighing, smiling -- smiling, sighing --
Sun in shade, and shade in sun;
Dying, living -- living, dying --
Both in one!
Hoping in our very fearing,
Striving hard against our strife;
Drifting in the stead of steering, --
This is life!
Seeming to believe in seeming,
Half disproving, to approve;
Knowing that we dream, in dreaming, --
This is love!
Being in our weakness stronger, --
Living where there is no breath;
Feeling harm can harm no longer, --
This is death
Source:
Ballads, Lyrics, And HymnsCopyright 1874
New York: Hurd And Houghton