Poems (Rossetti, 1901)/"I will arise"

by Christina Georgina 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-energise 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 hearken to my sighs,
And store my tears with Thee,
 And deign replies
 To feeble prayers;—O Lord, I will arise.