Explore "Ever to Be" by Ameen Rihani on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
My far cry, though no one should echo -- / Though no one to listen should stand, / I shall dare with my burden the darkness / And I shall not retreat from this land; / Though I'm hurled 'neath the feet of the millions, / Who struggle their places to keep, / The sea-nymphs still bathe with my Fancy / And the Dryads still sweeten my sleep.
Though I'm crushed, cast away and forgotten -- / Though I'm buried in the dust of their cars, / I can see through their madness above me -- / I can feel the quick pulse of the stars; / Though my head be the foot-stool of tyrants, / Though my back be a step to their throne, / I still dwell with the kings of Orion / And I walk with the sun-queen alone.
Though the fire of my youth should consume me -- / Though my body a brimstone should be, / I can draw on the clouds for their water / And behold! I've of water a sea; / And though roofless, and friendless, and hopeless, / And loveless, and godless I stand, / The waves of my Life shall continue / To murmur and laugh on the Strand.