I Have a Rendezvous with Life

I have a rendezvous with Life
In days I hope will come
Ere youth has sped and strength of mind,
Ere voices sweet grow dumb;
I have a rendezvous with Life
When Spring’s first heralds hum.
It may be I shall greet her soon;
Shall riot at her behest.
It may be I shall seek in vain
The place of her downy breast.
Yet I would keep this rendezvous
And deem all hardships sweet,
If at the end of the long white way,
There Life and I should meet.
Sure some would cry it better far
To crown their days with sleep,
Than face the road, the wind and rain
To heed the calling deep.
Tho’ wet nor blow nor space I fear,
Yet fear I deeply too,
Lest Death should greet and claim me ere
I keep Life’s rendezvous.