Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Ralph Waldo Emerson. 18031882672. Brahma
IF the red slayer think he slays, | |
Or if the slain think he is slain, | |
They know not well the subtle ways | |
I keep, and pass, and turn again. | |
Far or forgot to me is near; | 5 |
Shadow and sunlight are the same; | |
The vanish’d gods to me appear; | |
And one to me are shame and fame. | |
They reckon ill who leave me out; | |
When me they fly, I am the wings; | 10 |
I am the doubter and the doubt, | |
And I the hymn the Brahmin sings. | |
The strong gods pine for my abode, | |
And pine in vain the sacred Seven; | |
But thou, meek lover of the good! | 15 |
Find me, and turn thy back on heaven. |