SURSUM CORDA

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Seek not the spirit, if it hide

Inexorable to thy zeal:

Trembler, do not whine and chide:

Art thou not also real?

Stoop not then to poor excuse;

Turn on the accuser roundly; say,

‘ Here am I, here will I abide

Forever to myself soothfast;

Go thou, sweet Heaven, or at thy pleasure stay!’

Already Heaven with thee its lot has cast,

For only it can absolutely deal.