The Higher Self

That higher self her spirit raised in me,
Pressed in life's fight, desponding shrank away;
And then, in irresistible array, —
Threatening to have me in captivity, —
Of tempters came a mighty company.
Then did I turn myself to Love and pray;
Yet still I felt my strength wane day by day,
And still I said, " Must these have mastery?"

And when it seemed, indeed, that I must fail.
Came back that higher self and shook the door
Of my shut soul, and smote the tempters down;
And said to me, " Does not her love prevail?
Is she not one with thee, forevermore.
That Death may crown thee with Love's perfect crown?"