University of Virginia Library

WRITTEN IN “EMERSON'S ESSAYS.”

I.

[Prophets thou hast, O earth, even as of old]

Prophets thou hast, O earth, even as of old;
See that thou know'st them! Well it is that thou
Shut'st not thine ears, so dinned with nothings now,
To the great teachings by their rapt tongues told;
Diverse those tongues, yet wisdom all unfold
Harmonious, for to one God they vow
Their living hours, and at one altar bow,
Bidding all, in all things, one faith behold;
Some act like Havelock, and in thund'rous deeds
Preach nobleness even in the gaze of death;
So Livingstone, our lives, with greatness feeds;
Others sustain our souls with holiest breath
And wisdom priceless. Such he wisely heeds
Who takes to heart what Emerson still saith.

II.

[O that my soul might from his living tongue]

O that my soul might from his living tongue
Drink wisdom! that I might my ears rejoice
With the deep teachings of that far-off voice
Upon whose precious utterances have hung
Such souls uncounted—from whose breath have sprung
Lives that make angels gladden. Many a choice,
'Twixt sin and pureness hath that loftiest voice
Fixed for the holiest. High his wrath hath rung
O'er the poor tumult of abounding wrong
And evil multitudinous, and, bright
As the white lightning, hath scorched down the strong
And blustering sinfulness that, not in night
Cowered from high God, but thrust and brawled along
In noon's clear brightness, and in all men's sight.

III.

[Therefore, O Wisdom, throne him with the wise]

Therefore, O Wisdom, throne him with the wise
Whose glories brighten through the glooms of time,
By death and the past's darkness made sublime,
Made the dear worship of all human eyes.
Let us our Prophets of the Present prize,
Our Saints and Heroes, that, in every clime,
Sun our great days and sanctify our time,
Not leaving to the future the surprise
To know a greatness unto us unknown.
Need have we in the pathways of to-day
To know such guides as he, by whom is shown,
Begirt with snares and thorns, the narrow way,
That straitest road that we must tread alone,
If we fit offerings at God's feet would lay.