Aspiration and Attainment

Two natures, ours,—two lives
Attest our heavenly birth;—
In “the third heaven,” one,—
The other, on the earth.

One soars to realms above,
Where saints and angels dwell;
The other strives alone
With all the powers of hell.

The soul’s clear vision, one,
And ecstacy untold;
The other, darkness, doubt,
And sorrow manifold.

The one is triumph, rest;
The other, struggle, pain:—
A fearful fight, wherein
Both prayers and tears seem vain.

And yet they are but one,
Though worlds between them roll;
One, also, their reward
In God, their glorious goal.

For duty, in the dust,
Is equally divine
With victor wreath and crown
Which in His presence shine.