University of Virginia Library


236

LIFE'S PATH

Life's path winds ever upward;
'Tis no use looking back:
The flowers we love and long for
Are further on the track.
Not in the old green valleys
Our haven can be found,
But where the North wind sallies
Across rough mountain ground.
Then ho! for noble climbing.
Life's work is not yet done:
Our work will not be over
Till the last peak is won.
Yes, ho! for noble climbing,
And effort pure and high.
The green seductive valleys
Fade out from heart and eye.

237

The mountains, ho! the mountains—
Our path lies over these;
We quit the valley-fountains,
We quit the flowers and trees.
We struggle ever upward:
Upon the mountain's crest,
But never till we reach it,
Our weary souls may rest.