Who Bides His Time

Read 'Who Bides His Time' by 'James Whitcomb Riley' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Who Bides His Time by James Whitcomb Riley

 Who bides his time, and day by day 
Faces defeat full patiently, 
And lifts a mirthful roundelay, 
However poor his fortunes be,-- 
He will not fail in any qualm 
Of poverty -- the paltry dime 
It will grow golden in his palm, 
Who bides his time.

Who bides his time -- he tastes the sweet 
Of honey in the saltest tear; 
And though he fares with slowest feet, 
Joy runs to meet him, drawing near; 
The birds are hearalds of his cause; 
And, like a never-ending rhyme, 
The roadsides bloom in his applause, 
Who bides his time.

Who bides his time, and fevers not 
In the hot race that none achieves, 
Shall wear cool-wreathen laurel, wrought 
With crimson berries in the leaves; 
And he shall reign a goodly king, 
And sway his hand o'er every clime 
With peace writ on his signet-ring, 
Who bides his time.

Form: Ballade Comments

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