89 HERO-WORSHIP

By Amy Lowell

A face seen passing in a crowded street，

A voice heard singing music，large and free；

And from that moment life is changed，and we

Become of more heroic temper，meet

To freely ask and give，a man complete

Radiant because of faith，we dare to be

What Nature meant us．Brave idolatry

Which can conceive a hero！No deceit，

No knowledge taught by unrelenting years，

Can quench this fierce，untamable desire．

We know that what we long for once achieved

Will cease to satisfy．Be still our fears；

If what we worship fail us，still the fire

Burns on，and it is much to have believed．