I may not keep the heights I gain In those rare hours of ecstasy When, scorning ease, despising pain, Forgetting self, and winning free From all that most entangles me, I leave the low miasmic plain Of sloth and doubt and greed to be Companion of the heavenly train Who tread the loftier ways; who keep A tryst with stars, nor shrink nor cower In craven fear or sluggish sleep, Nor seek the ease of blossomed bower. My earth-bound soul lacks breath and power To hold a path so nobly steep, Yet God be praised that for an hour I gained the heights I could not keep. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OF MONEY by BARNABY (BARNABE) GOOGE THE LAST MAN: KISSES by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE SHEPHERD'S PIPE: FIFTH ECLOGUE; TO HIS FRIEND CHRISTOPHER BROOKE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) A SONG FOR THE RAGGED SCHOOLS OF LONDON; WRITTEN IN ROME by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING HARPS HUNG UP IN BABYLON by ARTHUR WILLIS COLTON POEM-SKETCH IN 3 PARTS: THE ISLAND by HILDA CONKLING THE BOROUGH: LETTER 20. POOR OF THE BOROUGH. ELLEN ORFORD by GEORGE CRABBE |