The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley - Volume 3

did not in the slightest assert itself. They felt moved to sorrow, but the overpowering sense of another feeling-a feeling of victory for some Great Friend or Cause-left the

upon Orville's shoulders he felt a heavy burden, but still heavier was one which

o the Cross with these burd

rought them here. They are the burdens of your wealth. They will h

e our riches?" asked both Orvill

" He pointed to a man standing at the fork of the roads. His burden was weighing him to the earth. "He brought it all with him, sir," continued Michael; "in life he g

ers. Men and women going to the other road beckoned him to throw it away again and come with them; but he had seen th

e given him to use for a purpose and that he was not, himself, the purpose,"

lovan. "But why is not my burden he

did not lighten it sufficiently: Had you given even one-tenth of

known that,"

learning them now. But look up, sir, and see the old man with the heavy burden abo

d up and gaspe

and when you did give you gave with better motives; yet he alwa

e able to help him when I get

y prayers and the Great Sacrifice. You probably may go along with him, when you reach him

the climb. Orville could read the words which mar

e, sir," he said to Callovan, turning to him. "You have far to go to reach your father

I be lonely?"

lgrimage to the Cross, so that you may contemplate God, Whom you failed to enjoy by meditation, when you could have had Him alone. Then you have few to pray for you now, for such companions as you had in life did not and do not pray. They will cover your coffin with fl

ve a great deal to many good works.

more often to your own vanity than they were to God. Motives alone govern the value of sacrifi

the mountain, as if he dimly saw the Cross; but his burden was terrific in its weight. It rested on the groun

ey gave him a reception at our club once. He was

e Road without Ending," said Michael. "He has many

urrounded him on every side and menaced him with threatening fists. "Beast!" shouted one. "I saw the Cross

you founded," wailed an

e name of a false science, encouraged by your gifts, destroyed the Faith of thousands. You shall not go

They could hear his voice in the distance, as the

ed at his friends with some of the pain of his coming

very great; but there is an end. He who sets his foot on

, for Orville and Michae

atly favored. He was much better in l

poor and sheltered and aided them. He has all that is his, all that belongs to him. Yo

saying: "I go to the Cross, I go to the Cross," and he forgot the suffering. He thought of earth for an instant; but the thought brought him no longing to return. His breast was swelling and seemed bursting with a wonderful great Love that made him content with every tortured step. He even seemed to

ed to ease his

him: "How many ages ha

ael. "The minutes are as ages in the Land of Death until