| William Wilfred Campbell, comp. The Oxford Book of Canadian Verse. 1913. | | | | Aspiration | | By Peter McArthur (1866–1924) |
| | | HOW should I be the master of my ways? | |
| When every nerve is vibrant to the sweep | |
| Of dreams that fill the measure of my days, | |
| Too rare to lose and past all power to keep. | |
| How should I know what it were well to do? | 5 |
| When every path has its alluring strain, | |
| Each towering crest its world-revealing view | |
| Of realms for him who has the will to reign. | |
| |
| And while I waver, lo! this earthly shard, | |
| Wherein is breathed the swift compelling fire, | 10 |
| Breaks with the ardour it was shaped to guard; | |
| Yet, ever striving, dream-led, I aspire, | |
| Ere all be spent, with reverent hands to light | |
| A guiding star on some hope-kindling height. | | | | |
|
|
