 | Threescore, and other poems |  |
21
UPWARD.
We cannot rise by sense alone,
By what we touch and see and feel,
By levers of the daily meal:
Senses are footstools round a throne;
By what we touch and see and feel,
By levers of the daily meal:
Senses are footstools round a throne;
And be these held by blinded slaves,
Who see above no higher seats,
Contented with their lowly heats,
Circling like bats in starless caves,
Who see above no higher seats,
Contented with their lowly heats,
Circling like bats in starless caves,
The service of the throne doth fail,
Shaken the king by earthly fears,
His eyes ne'er moist with ruthful tears,
His upper lights distract and pale.
Shaken the king by earthly fears,
His eyes ne'er moist with ruthful tears,
His upper lights distract and pale.
22
The blinded slaves are guilty greeds,
Dumb lusts of flesh and pelf and power,
Gross appetites unblest, that lour
To seize and chain the higher needs.
Dumb lusts of flesh and pelf and power,
Gross appetites unblest, that lour
To seize and chain the higher needs.
Unblinded they must run; and then
Slaves they will cease to be, and rise
To bless and to be blest, with eyes
Bright visionary with higher ken.
Slaves they will cease to be, and rise
To bless and to be blest, with eyes
Bright visionary with higher ken.
| Threescore, and other poems | |