Arthur Henry Adams - The Goal lyrics

ON the grey levels of the plain of life When, slowly swirled, The moving hills of morning mist Hedged in the world— While yet undared the path of toil and strife, I found a friend Whose faith I pictured would persist Until the end. Then peered the stooping sun across the plain— The world he kissed; In sudden glory shimmering Flamed all the mist! The sullen Darkness carried off his slain, And straight away, Like a forefinger beckoning, The white road lay. Her hand in mine, upon the path we pressed; Together shared The flowers we plucked—to find them pain; And forward fared Till we stood radiant on the mountain crest; And still ahead, Dipping to pleasant depths of plain, The white road led. But when I urged her onward to the end Her heart peered out Upon the road's unswerving leap In dizzy doubt. “Nay, we have reached the highest, why descend?” Her lips demurred— And with us, gazing at the steep, There stood a third. Her eyes clasped his in an embrace of love. Said they: “No more; Here on the crest is our abode, Our journey o'er; The goal for you!” So, leaving them above, I went alone— And still the arrow of the road Sped on, straight on! But darker and more desolate the way, Until I turned— Lo, in the halo of the sun The lovers burned, High on the mountain-top! Ah, what if they, By pa**ion kissed, The goal of life and love have won, And I have missed?