Gradatim

• (1872)
• by Josiah Gilbert Holland

• Heaven is not reached at a single bound;
• But we build the ladder by which we rise
• From the lowly earth, to the vaulted skies,
• And we mount to its summit round by round.
• I count this thing to be grandly true:
• That a noble deed is a step toward God,
• Lifting the soul from the common clod
• To a purer air and a broader view.
• We rise by the things that are under feet;
• By what we have mastered of good and gain;
• By the pride deposed and the passion slain,
• And the vanquished ills that we hourly meet.
• We hope, we aspire, we resolve, we trust,
• When the morning calls us to life and light,
• But our hearts grow weary, and, ere the night,
• Our lives are trailing the sordid dust.
• We hope, we resolve, we aspire, we pray,
• And we think that we mount the air on wings
• Beyond the recall of sensual things,
• While our feet still cling to the heavy clay.
• Wings for the angels, but feet for men!
• We may borrow the wings to find the way—
• We may hope, and resolve, and aspire, and pray;
• But our feet must rise, or we fall again.
• Only in dreams is a ladder thrown
• From the weary earth to the sapphire walls;
• But the dreams depart, and the vision falls,
• And the sleeper wakes on his pillow of stone.
• Heaven is not reached at a single bound;
• But we build the ladder by which we rise
• From the lowly earth, to the vaulted skies,
• And we mount to its summit, round by round.