Aspire

Higher, higher, ever higher,--
Let thy watchword be "Aspire!"
    Noble Christian youth;
Whatsoe'er be God's behest,
Try to do that duty best
    In strength of Truth.

Let a just ambition fire
Every motive and desire
    God and man to serve:
Man, with zeal and honour due,
God, with gratitude most true,
    And all the spirit's nerve!

Let not Doubt thine efforts tire,
God will give what all require,--
    Raiment, home, and food!
And with these contented well,
Bid thine aspirations swell
    To the Highest Good!

From the perils deep and dire
Of Temptation's sensual mire
    Keep thy chasten'd feet;
Dread, and hate, and turn away
From the lure that leads astray,
    Satan's pleasure-cheat!

And, while thus a self-denier,
Stand the stalwart self-relier,--
    Bravely battling on,
Though alone,-- no soul alive
Ever stoutly dared to strive
    But saw the battle won!

Though thy path be thorn and brier,
Every step shall bring thee nigher
    To Creation's prize;
With "Excelsior" on thy flag,
Thou shalt tread the topmost crag,
    Climbing to the skies.

Higher, then, and always higher,--
Let thy motto be "Aspire!"
    Whosoe'er thou be;
Holy liver! happy dier!
Earth's poor best and Heaven's quire
    Are reserved for thee!