THE LADDER.
FAST and vigil, alms and prayer,
These the penitential stair
Leading slowly day by day
Up the toilsome heavenward way.
These the penitential stair
Leading slowly day by day
Up the toilsome heavenward way.
Following these I thought to be
Always near, dear Lord, to Thee;
Now—alas! Thou knowest all;
Fruitless strife and frequent fall!
Always near, dear Lord, to Thee;
Now—alas! Thou knowest all;
Fruitless strife and frequent fall!
Trust of self, or selfish aim,
Toil unhallowed by Thy Name,
Envy, pride,—oh, make me know
What has laid Thy servant low!
Toil unhallowed by Thy Name,
Envy, pride,—oh, make me know
What has laid Thy servant low!
By this same unchanging stair—
Fast and vigil, alms and prayer—
Following Thee Thy saints have passed
To victorious peace at last.
Fast and vigil, alms and prayer—
Following Thee Thy saints have passed
To victorious peace at last.
And this ladder I must scale;
Nought instead will me avail;
Every round I know I need,
Though my feet thereon should bleed.
Nought instead will me avail;
Every round I know I need,
Though my feet thereon should bleed.
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