Harriet Martineau (1802–1876)

ARISE, my soul! and urge thy flight,

And fix thy view on God alone,

As eagles spring to meet the light,

And gaze upon the radiant sun.

As planets on and onward roll,

As streams pour forth their swelling tide,

Press on thy steady course, my soul,

Nor pause, nor stop, nor turn aside.

Planets and suns shall dim their fire;

Earth, air, and sea, shall melt away;

But though each star of heaven expire,

Thou may’st survive that awful day.

In life, in death, thy course hold on:

Though nature’s self in ruins lie,

Pause not till heaven-gate be won;

Then rest; for there thou canst not die.