Introducing the poem, Carlyle wrote:
To me it has something of a modern psalm in it, in some measure. It is deep as the foundations, deep and high, and it is true and clear:-no clearer man, or nobler and grander intellect has lived in the world, I believe, since Shakespeare left it. This is what the poet sings; - a kind of road-melody or marching-music of mankind:" The future hides in it
Gladness and sorrow;
We press still thorow,
Nought that abides in it
Daunting us, --onward.
And solemn before us,
Veiled, the dark Portal;
Goal of the mortal:---
Stars silent rest o`er us,
Graves under us silent!
While earnest thou gazest,
Comes boding of terror,
Comes phantasm and error;
Perplexes the bravest
With doubt and misgiving.
But heard are the Voices,
Heard are the Sages,
The Worlds and the Ages:
"Choose well; your choice is
Brief, and yet endless.
Here eyes do regard you,
In Eternity`s stillness;
Here is all fulness,
Ye brave, to reward you;
Work, and despair not.' "
