HELEN KELLER

In darkness deep by day and night, A fettered child without a ray— No word of speech, no sound, no sight To lift a soul to Heaven’s day. But Patience came in Love’s sweet way, And smiled and wept and wept and smiled, With failure oft, yet would essay To lighten the mind of a captive child. What mortal e’er in such a plight? What twain beset with such dismay, As guide and child in the long drawn fight To lift a soul to Heaven’s day? No victor great, no ruler’s sway, Reveals such triumph, pure and mild; No leader nobler zeal portray, To lighten the mind of a captive child. And darkness gross and many a blight Leave other children far astray; And they call loud for some brave knight To lift a soul to Heaven’s day. Then who the priceless pearl will pay, To lift a soul so dark and wild, From the deepest pit, as a piece of clay— To lighten the mind of a captive child? Envoy ’Tis faith and work, with hope’s delay, To lift a soul to Heaven’s day, From Night’s dim depths, by love beguiled, To lighten the mind of a captive child.