Walter Murdoch (1874–1970). The Oxford Book of Australasian Verse. 1918.
58. Self-Discipline
W
Overborne by strife and pain beyond control,
From some secret hollow, whisper soft-confessed,
Came the legend of the soul.
So his heart might learn of sweet and bitter truth;
Going forth bereft of beauty, throne, and crown,
And the sweetness of his youth.
Through the world’s hour dies within our primal will;
And we justify the pain and hearts that break,
And our lofty doom fulfil.