We are moving on apace in our list of Victorian Poets.
Perhaps today's is a bit of a cheat, because the lady concerned is an American, although she did live in the Victorian era.
Mary Gray Phelps (1844 - 1911), was born at Andover, Massachusetts, and married Herbert Dickinson Ward, in 1888.
In most of her writings she used her mother's name "Elizabeth Stuart Phelps" as a pseudonym, both before and after her marriage.
She was the author of fifty-seven volumes of fiction, poetry and essays, including three Spiritualist novels, The Gates Ajar, Between the Gates and Beyond the Gates, and a novella about animal rights, Loveliness.
She was also a great advocate for social reform, temperance, and the emancipation of women.
Here she writes about "The Race of Life"
At the Promethean and other festivals young men ran with
torches or lamps lighted from the sacrificial altar.
"In this contest only he was victorious whose lamp remained unextinguished in the race."
UNQUENCHED
I think upon the conquering Greek who ran
(Brave was the racer!) that brave race of old —
Swifter than hope his feet that did not tire.
Calmer than love the hand which reached that goal;
A torch it bore, and cherished to the end
And rescued from the winds the sacred fire.
Oh, life, the race. Oh, heart, the racer! Hush!
And listen long enough to learn of him
Who sleeps beneath the dust with his desire.
Go! shame thy coward weariness, and wail.
Who doubles contest, doubles victory.
Go! learn to run the race, and carry fire.
Oh, Friend! The lip is brave, the heart is weak.
Stay near. The runner faints — the torch falls pale.
Save me the flame that mounteth ever higher!
Grows it so dark? I lift mine eyes to Thine;
Blazing within them, steadfast, pure, and strong,
Against the wind there fights the eternal fire.
Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
