Aspirations and Ideals
Reading edition
"As some most pure and noble face, [54] Seen in the thronged and hurrying street, Sheds o'er the world a sudden grace, A flying odor sweet, Then passing leaves the cheated sense Balked with a phantom excellence. 'So in our soul, the visions rise Of that fair life we never led; They flash a splendor past our eyes, We start, and they are fled; They pass and leave us with blank gaze, Resigned to our ignoble days." —The Fugitive Ideal, by Wm. Watson.
"Contentment and aspiration are in every true man's life."
"No bird can race in the great blue sky against a noble soul. The eagle's wing is slow compared with the flight of hope and love."—Swing.
"We figure to ourselves The thing we like, and then we build it up— As chance will have it, on the rock or sand; For time is tired of wandering o'er the world, And home-bound fancy runs her bark ashore." —Taylor.