Poems (Coates 1916)/Volume II/Though Thou Hast Climbed

by Florence Earle Coates

For other versions of this work, see Though Thou Hast Climbed.

THOUGH THOU HAST CLIMBED

THOUGH thou hast climbed, by patient effort slow,
O'er barriers that thy course denied,
And from proud summits gazest down below—
Self-satisfied;

Though thou hast felt the clouds beneath thy feet,
And to past triumphs fond returning,
Wakest no more, sublimer heights to greet
With upward yearning,—

Better for thee hadst thou been taught to bow,
Through lengthening years of blest probation,
Looking to something loftier than thou,
In adoration:

Better for thee had thine unconquered will,
So scornful of restraining bars—
Been held earth's captive thrall, thy strivings still
Unto the Stars!