Self-Dependence
Weary
of
myself,
and
sick
of
asking
What
I
am,
and
what
I
ought
to
be,
At
this
vessel's
prow
I
stand,
which
bears
me
Forwards,
forwards,
o'er
the
starlit
sea.
And
a
look
of
passionate
desire
O'er
the
sea
and
to
the
stars
I
send:
"Ye
who
from
my
childhood
up
have
calm'd
me,
Calm
me,
ah,
compose
me
to
the
end!
"Ah,
once
more,"
I
cried,
"ye
stars,
ye
waters,
On
my
heart
your
mighty
charm
renew;
Still,
still
let
me,
as
I
gaze
upon
you,
Feel
my
soul
becoming
vast
like
you!"
From
the
intense,
clear,
star-sown
vault
of
heaven,
Over
the
lit
sea's
unquiet
way,
In
the
rustling
night-air
came
the
answer:
"Wouldst
thou
be
as
these
are?
Live
as
they.
"Unaffrighted
by
the
silence
round
them,
Undistracted
by
the
sights
they
see,
These
demand
not
that
the
things
without
them
Yield
them
love,
amusement,
sympathy.
"And
with
joy
the
stars
perform
their
shining,
And
the
sea
its
long
moon-silver'd
roll;
For
self-poised
they
live,
nor
pine
with
noting
All
the
fever
of
some
differing
soul.
"Bounded
by
themselves,
and
unregardful
In
what
state
God's
other
works
may
be,
In
their
own
tasks
all
their
powers
pouring,
These
attain
the
mighty
life
you
see."
O
air-born
voice!
long
since,
severely
clear,
A
cry
like
thine
in
mine
own
heart
I
hear:
"Resolve
to
be
thyself;
and
know
that
he,
Who
finds
himself,
loses
his
misery!"
