Comrade, art thou weary?
Hath the way been long?
Dost thou faint and falter—
Thou, who wert so strong?
Ah, I well remember
How, when life was young,
Forth we fared together,
Glad of heart and tongue.
Then no height appalled thee;
Thou didst mount and sing
With the joyous ardor
Of a bird on wing!
Once thou wert the stronger—
Led me by thy will;
I obeyed thy mandates,
Gloried in thy skill;
Owed thee much, and loved thee,
Half the joy of living
(Comrade, dost thou hear me?)
Hath been of thy giving.
Think what thou has brought me!
All that eye hath seen—
Glow of dawn and sunset;
Starlight’s silver sheen;
All the pomp and splendor
Of the summer day;
Gleam of sparkling waters
Leaping in their play;
Night and storm and darkness;
Mountains high and hoar;
Ocean billows sweeping
On from shore to shore!
Think of what I owe thee!
Fragrance of the rose,
Breath of odorous lily
And each flower that blows;
Song of thrush and veery
Deep in woodland bowers;
Chime of sweet bells pealing
From cathedral towers;
Love’s most dear caresses,
Touch of lip and cheek,
Throb of heart revealing
What no tongue can speak!
Lifelong friend and comrade,
Twin-born brother, thou,
Think how thou hast served me—
Let me serve thee now!
Let my strength uphold thee
As thine own strength fails,
As the way grows steeper
And the night prevails.
Cheer thee, cheer thee, comrade!
Drink thou of my wine;
Lo! the cup I bring thee
Holds a draught divine!