A motto has been made of the Latin phrase "per aspera ad astra," of
which the translation sometimes given is "through bolts and bars to the
stars."
Thank God, a man can grow!
He is not bound
With earthward gaze to creep along the ground:
Though his beginnings be but poor and low,
Thank God, a man can grow!
The fire upon his altars may burn dim,
The torch he lighted may in darkness fail,
And nothing to rekindle it avail,--
Yet high beyond his dull horizon's rim,
Arcturus and the Pleiads beckon him.
_Florence Earle Coates._