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.