Three Things

There are three things of Earth
That help us more
Than those of heavenly birth
That all implore--
Than Love or Faith or Hope,
For which we strive and grope.

The first one is Desire,--
Who takes our hand
And fills our hearts with fire
None may withstand;--
Through whom we’re lifted far
Above both moon and star.

The second one is Dream,--
Who leads our feet
By an immortal gleam
To visions sweet;--
Through whom our forms put on
Dim attributes of dawn.

The last of these is Toil,--
Who maketh true,
Within the world’s turmoil
The other two;--
Through whom we may behold
Ourselves with kings enrolled.