_Soph._ Thou dost not, Martius, And therefore, not what 'tis to live; … — Essays

Essays — Ralph Waldo Emerson

_Soph._ Thou dost not, Martius, And therefore, not what 'tis to live; to die Is to begin to live. It is to end An old, stale, weary work, and to commence A newer and a better. 'Tis to leave Deceitful knaves for the society Of gods and goodness. Thou, thyself, must part At last, from all thy garlands, pleasures, triumphs, And prove thy fortitude what then 'twill do.

Place: ¶269
License: Public domain · Source
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