Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Harriet Martineau 1802–76

On, on, Forever

MartineaH

BENEATH this starry arch

Nought resteth or is still;

But all things hold their march

As if by one great will:

Moves one, move all: hark to the foot-fall!

On, on, forever!

Yon sheaves were once but seed;

Will ripens into deed;

As cave-drops swell the streams,

Day-thoughts feed nightly dreams;

And sorrow tracketh wrong,

As echo follows song:

On, on, forever!

By night, like stars on high,

The Hours reveal their train;

They whisper and go by:

I never watch in vain.

Moves one, move all: hark to the foot-fall!

On, on, forever!

They pass the cradle-head,

And there a promise shed;

They pass the moist new grave,

And bid rank verdure wave;

They bear through every clime

The harvests of all time.

On, on, forever!