---
title: 'The Aspiration of A.A.E. Taylor'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2020-05-24
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2020-the-aspiration-of-a-a-e-taylor
---

# The Aspiration of A.A.E. Taylor

President of the College of Wooster from 1873 to 1883, [Archibald Alexander Edward Taylor](/authors/archibald-alexander-edward-taylor) published a volume of poems in his retirement years titled *Claudia Procula and Other Verses* (1899). From this volume we have extracted one composition which is reminiscent of the Psalmist who thirsts for God (Ps. 27:4; 42:2; 63:1).

**ASPIRATION**

> Oh! how this wasting spirit faints
> With thirst for things divine;
> Deep cravings nought may satisfy,
> But draughts of Christ’s new wine.
> 
> And yet earth’s master appetites
> Exhaust their utmost art,
> With shrivelled husks of sin, to feed
> This prodigal — my heart.
> 
> Might I aspire Thy will to do,
> As now they tempt to stray,
> My winged feet should shape their course
> Straight up the King’s highway.
> 
> Dear Saviour, slay each flesh-born taste,
> Destroy these grovelling aims;
> ’Till on the altar of my life
> Burn only holy flames.
> 
> Lift Thou my trembling, learning faith
> Beyond this dome of blue,
> And wide before its clay-touched eyes,
> Spread some assuring view.
> 
> Show me Thyself upon the throne. —
> I’ve loved Thee on the tree;
> The plait of thorns I know, but now
> I would Thy true crown see.
> 
> Oh! let the song the ransomed sing,
> Come ringing through the gates;
> For long and weary wears the day,
> To him who far off waits.
> 
> At least, O Lord, with radiant light,
> Thine image here impressed,
> Let me the wedding garment wear,
> A welcome, chosen guest.
> 
> Then loving Thee, and like to Thee,
> My soul with peace shall beam,
> As once the face of Moses shone, —
> And earth fade, like a dream.