Ambition

Let Fame the shining annals spread—
Where she records her mighty dead,
And boasting, promise an immortal name!
Vain is her boast, her proud parade
Sinks in oblivion's dreary shade;
Time, all-destroying time, forbids the claim.

Let her employ her utmost power,
With radiance gild the present hour,
('Tis all she can) her fairest wreaths display;
What is the envy'd prize, decreed
The living Conqu'ror's glorious meed?
At best, the fading triumph of a day.

The Christian seeks a nobler prize,
A fairer wreath attracts his eyes,
Divine ambition in his bosom glows;
His hopes a crown immortal fires;
Jesus, the Lord of his desires,
On faith, and humble love, the crown bestows.

Honours unconscious of decay,
While ages rise and roll away,
Secur'd by perfect truth's unchanging word;
The victor's palm, the robe of state,
Laid up in heaven, the Christian wait,
Triumphant through his dying, rising Lord

His name, enroll'd among the just.
When sculptur'd monuments are dust,
And mortal glory sinks in endless night;
Shall with immortal lustre shine,
Wrote by the hand of love divine
In life's fair book, in characters of light.

Such is the Christian's glorious prize;
Thus high his hopes, his wishes rise,
Inspir'd by blest ambition, heaven-born flame!
O thou, the source of bliss divine,
My heart renew, exalt, refine!
Nor let me bear, in vain, the Christian's name.