If one should strive to reach a star, <br />He would not build a ladder high, <br />Seek foot by foot to climb so far, <br />And step by step ascend the sky; <br /> <br />But he would seek the wild bird’s wings, <br />The secret of the lightning’s play, <br />Leap out upon the night’s blue rings, <br />And hail at dawn his wished-for day. <br /> <br />I will not vainly seek to thee <br />By ladder-steps of wealth or fame, <br />Till some few feet below me be <br />The world, thy distance still the same. <br /> <br />But I will seek that influence <br />By which all nature’s marvels move, <br />Till I, by flash or flight from hence, <br />Win to thee as on wings of Love.<br /><br />Francis William Bourdillon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/excelsior-3/
