Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/805

 RALPH WALDO EMERSON

1803-1882

669. Give All to Love

Give all to love; Obey thy heart; Friends, kindred, days, Estate, good fame, Plans, credit, and the Muse— Nothing refuse.

'Tis a brave master; Let it have scope: Follow it utterly, Hope beyond hope: High and more high It dives into noon, With wing unspent, Untold intent; But it is a god, Knows its own path, And the outlets of the sky.

It was never for the mean; It requireth courage stout, Souls above doubt, Valour unbending: Such 'twill reward;— They shall return More than they were, And ever ascending.

Leave all for love; Yet, hear me, yet, One word more thy heart behoved, One pulse more of firm endeavour—