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.

52And 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.

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