Ultima Veritas

Washington Gladden (1836–1918)

IN the bitter waves of woe,

Beaten and tossed about

By the sullen winds that blow

From the desolate shores of doubt,—

When the anchors that faith had cast

Are dragging in the gale,

I am quietly holding fast

To the things that cannot fail:

I know that right is right;

That it is not good to lie;

That love is better than spite,

And a neighbor than a spy;

I know that passion needs

The leash of a sober mind;

I know that generous deeds

Some sure reward will find;

That the rulers must obey;

That the givers shall increase;

That Duty lights the way

For the beautiful feet of Peace;—

In the darkest night of the year,

When the stars have all gone out,

That courage is better than fear,

That faith is truer than doubt;

And fierce though the fiends may fight,

And long though the angels hide,

I know that Truth and Right

Have the universe on their side;

And that somewhere, beyond the stars,

Is a Love that is better than fate;

When the night unlocks her bars

I shall see Him, and I will wait.