Page:Poems, Volume 1, Coates, 1916.djvu/199



HEARD a voice say: "You,

Who worship, should pursue:

The good you dream of—do.

Arise!—perfection seek.

Surmounting what is weak,

Toil on from peak to peak!"

Henceforth, through sun and shade,"

I answered, "unafraid,

I follow the shy maid:

Yea, beauty to create,

Accept with heart elate

Whate'er may be my fate."

Then, in youth's ardor, strong,

I toiled my way along,

Upon my lips a song;

But as I climbed on high,

Toward the forbidding sky

Perfection seemed to fly;