| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Self-Discipline |
| | | George William Russell (1867–1935) |
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| WHEN the soul sought refuge in the place of rest, | |
| Overborne by strife and pain beyond control, | |
| From some secret hollow, whisper soft-confessed, | |
| Came the legend of the soul. | |
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| Some bright one of old time laid his sceptre down, | 5 |
| So his heart might learn of sweet and bitter truth; | |
| Going forth bereft of beauty, throne, and crown, | |
| And the sweetness of his youth. | |
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| So the old appeal and fierce revolt we make | |
| Through the world’s hour dies within our primal will; | 10 |
| And we justify the pain and hearts that break, | |
| And our lofty doom fulfilled. | |
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