ASCEND this path, whose stairway windings gleam With ghosts of light through pine and cedar; rise, My thought, and gain each mountainous surprise, Each gulf of breath-like stone where the one stream Darts down its silver lightning; drink each turn Of curve and colour, implanted bliss or terror, Bow to the gods low-housing in the fern And at death's fox-holes they will outwit error; O rise among these fangy roots, these rocks In sledgy ruin ever edging -- strike Your foot like faith where armied dragon-shocks Have wrenched the burnt ridge into spur and spike; Question no sign; the hermit of the height, Once you command his secret, will not grudge your right. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPRING STORM by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS HYPOCRISY by SAMUEL BUTLER (1612-1680) LINES TO A MOVEMENT IN MOZART'S E-FLAT SYMPHONY by THOMAS HARDY RIDDLE: A STAR by MOTHER GOOSE THE CALL OF THE WILD by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE |