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written at rome, 1833. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, vol. 9 (Poems) [1909]

Edition used:

The Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, in 12 vols. Fireside Edition (Boston and New York, 1909).

Part of: The Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, in 12 vols. (Fireside Edition).

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written at rome, 1833.

    • Alone in Rome. Why, Rome is lonely too;—
    • Besides, you need not be alone; the soul
    • Shall have society of its own rank.
    • Be great, be true, and all the Scipios,
    • The Catos, the wise patriots of Rome
    • Shall flock to you and tarry by your side,
    • And comfort you with their high company.
    • Virtue alone is sweet society,
    • It keeps the key to all heroic hearts,
    • And opens you a welcome in them all.
    • You must be like them if you desire them,
    • Scorn trifles and embrace a better aim
    • Than wine or sleep or praise;
    • Hunt knowledge as the lover wooes a maid,
    • And ever in the strife of your own thoughts
    • Obey the nobler impulse; that is Rome:
    • That shall command a senate to your side;
    • For there is no might in the universe
    • That can contend with love. It reigns forever.
    • Wait then, sad friend, wait in majestic peace
    • The hour of heaven. Generously trust
    • Thy fortune's web to the beneficent hand
    • That until now has put his world in fee
    • To thee. He watches for thee still. His love
    • Broods over thee, and as God lives in heaven,
    • However long thou walkest solitary,
    • The hour of heaven shall come, the man appear.