Self-Dependence
Matthew Arnold
1822 to 1888
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Weary of myself, and sick of asking
What I am, and what I ought to be,
At this vessel's ______ I stand, which bears me
Forwards, forwards, o'er the ______ sea.
And a look of passionate desire
O'er the ______ and to the stars I send:
"Ye who from ______ childhood up have calm'd me,
Calm me, ah, compose ______ 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,
______ my soul becoming vast like you!"
From the intense, clear, star-sown vault of heaven,
Over the lit sea's ______ way,
In the rustling night-air came the answer:
"Wouldst ______ be as these are? Live as they.
"Unaffrighted by ______ silence round them,
Undistracted by the sights they see,
______ 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 ______ live, nor pine with noting
All the fever of ______ differing soul.
"Bounded by themselves, and unregardful
In what ______ God's other works may be,
In their own tasks ______ their powers pouring,
These attain the mighty life you see."
O air-born voice! long since, severely clear,
A ______ like thine in mine own heart I hear:
"Resolve ______ be thyself; and know that he,
Who finds himself, ______ his misery!"