Classic Poem

What spot of earth is nearest heaven?
Great Mount unclimbed! is that the place—
Thy highest peak, that, lone and riven,
Stands sentinel on space?
Or is it some high tropic Isle,
Close to the path the planets run,
And wound with seas that flash and smile,
Set full against the sun?
Or some great Minster, on whose spire
Angels light down, or take their flight,
And upward like a flame of fire,
Mount to the source of light?
No! it is here—the nearest place,
This gate, this grave (my tears fall fast)
Through which a form of deathless grace,
A little maiden passed.
But few steps—and she reached the gate
Which opens to that world above
That gives what each would ask of fate,
Or vainly asks of love.
Here to the old, eternal youth,
To youth, eternal years are given,
Here all the erring find the truth,
And all the wretched, heaven.