Dare and Know

The truths we cannot win are fruit forbidden,
That knowledge only is, by proof not ours,
Which lies beyond the measure of our powers :
Not by God’s grudging are our natures chidden,
His hidden things for daring search are hidden:
The cloudy darkness that around him lowers
Burns only with his glory, and the dowers
Of Hero-hearts who have gone up and ridden
The storm like eagles! If the lightning singe
The intrepid wing, ’t is but the burning kiss
Of Victory in Espousal, — the keen bliss
Whose rapturous thrill might make the coward cringe!
He who aloft on Rood-nails hung our crown
Smiles when with bleeding hands we climb and pluck it down!