ASCEND this path, whose stairway windings gleam With ghosts of light through pine and cedar; rise, My thought, and gain each mountainous surprise, Each gulf of breath-like stone where the one stream Darts down its silver lightning; drink each turn Of curve and colour, implanted bliss or terror, Bow to the gods low-housing in the fern And at death's fox-holes they will outwit error; O rise among these fangy roots, these rocks In sledgy ruin ever edging -- strike Your foot like faith where armied dragon-shocks Have wrenched the burnt ridge into spur and spike; Question no sign; the hermit of the height, Once you command his secret, will not grudge your right. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MIDNIGHT SKATERS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE MORAL FABLES: THE FOX AND THE WOLF by AESOP TO HIS WORSHIPFULL GOOD FRIEND, MAISTER JOHN STEVENTON by RICHARD BARNFIELD BENEDICITE by ANNA CALLENDER BRACKETT IN MEMORY OF JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT SUBWAY TRACK-WALKERS by DANA BURNET OBSERVATIONS IN THE ART OF ENGLISH POESY: 13. TROCHAIC VERSE: THE NINETH EPIGRAM by THOMAS CAMPION |