Life’s Temple

How shall we plan life’s temple? With a height divine,
Wherein rare workmanship and worth combine;
Or low and rambling, that the prisoned soul
May trace no semblance of the wondrous whole,
To which its hopes so eagerly aspire?
We can but fashion what we most admire.

How shall we plan life’s temple? By design complete,
Which on the world’s highway we fain would meet;
Then ere Night dons her star-encrusted veil
To silent journey over hill and dale,
The dream of youth, at least, may proudly stand--
An ideal structure in an ideal land.

How shall we build life’s temple? Build it stone on stone
And ever build, no part abides alone.
We labor vainly if we fail to know
A firm foundation though ’tis builded slow,
Is built to stand, when hearts are bold to dare
And bound to conquer as to do and bear.