Christina Rossetti — I Will Arise

Weary and weak,--accept my weariness;         Weary and weak and downcast in my soul, With hope growing less and less,         And with the goal Distant and dim,--accept my sore distress. I thought to reach the goal so long ago,         At outset of the race I dreamed of rest, Not knowing what now I know         Of breathless haste,         Of long-drawn straining effort across the waste. One only thing I knew, Thy love of me;         One only thing I know, Thy sacred same Love of me full and free,         A craving flame Of selfless love of me which burns in Thee. How can I think of thee, and yet grow chill;         Of Thee, and yet grow cold and nigh to death? Re-energize my will,         Rebuild my faith;         I will arise and run, Thou giving me breath. I will arise, repenting and in pain;         I will arise, and smite upon my breast And turn to Thee again;         Thou choosest best, Lead me along the road Thou makest plain. Lead me a little way, and carry me         A little way, and listen to my sighs, And store my tears with Thee,         And deign replies         To feeble prayers;--O Lord, I will arise.