Song of Ascension

Soul of the climber
     Divinely aspiring,
          Out of the lowly, 
          Up to the holy—
               Out of the dark,
To regions sublimer-
     To the star-choiring, 
     Climbing untiring-
               Hold to the mark!

Putting behind thee
     All of the coward,
          Fame's fascination, 
          Fortune and station,
               Follow the true;
Glory shall find thee
     Regally dowered,
     Proudly embowered,
               Deep in the blue.

Ever the better
     Lures up her lover;
          Beckons the daring, 
          Never despairing,
               Over the peaks!
Break the earth-fetter;
     Climb, while above her
     Waver and hover
          Day's banner-streaks!

Down the dark valley, 
     Sin and pollution,
          Terror and trouble, 
          Haunt the ignoble,
               Stinging the weak;
Swarmingly rally
     Loss and confusion, 
     Shame and delusion,
               Burning the cheek.

Steep on the mountain
     Truth has her dwelling;
          Virtue and valor
          There to Valhalla
               Welcome the brave;
Light from its fountain
     Over them welling,
     Flooding and swelling,
               Leaps like a wave.

Leave to the bramles
     Lowly ambition
          Cold disbelieving
          Solemn deceiving.
               Farce anil grimace
Under their shambles
     Tread superstition, 
     Doubt and suspicion,
               Dead in their place.

Boldly ascending,
     Ever unheeding
          Malice and scorning.
          Tremulous warning.
               Envy and hate.
Gallantly wending.
     Go with God's leading;
     Never receding,
          Conquer thy fate!

Climb to the newness;
     Climb to the holy:
          Rise to the regions
          Where from obedience
               Freedom is born;
Brave in thy trueness
     Out of the lowly, 
     Swiftly or slowly,
               Climb to the morn!