74
REPROOF.
NO II.
Oh say not thus! thy life is as a stair,
Of which the first steps lean upon the earth;
With each ascent you rise to purer air,
Where God's angelic ministrants have birth;
Though fair and sunny, Earth's alluring bowers,
Break through her dear enchantments, and pursue
Thy path right upward—for those purple flowers
O'er which thou tread'st their sweetness shall renew
And bloom eternal through eternal hours—
Till as you higher climb and from your view
Earth's soft green pleasaunce fades, faint not nor fear;
Though solemn in its loneliness the road,
Faith's star shines high above thee, bright and clear,
And, won the height—the last step leads to God!
Of which the first steps lean upon the earth;
With each ascent you rise to purer air,
Where God's angelic ministrants have birth;
Though fair and sunny, Earth's alluring bowers,
Break through her dear enchantments, and pursue
Thy path right upward—for those purple flowers
O'er which thou tread'st their sweetness shall renew
And bloom eternal through eternal hours—
Till as you higher climb and from your view
Earth's soft green pleasaunce fades, faint not nor fear;
Though solemn in its loneliness the road,
Faith's star shines high above thee, bright and clear,
And, won the height—the last step leads to God!
