The Old Stoic

By Emily Bronte

 

Riches I hold in light esteem,
   And Love I laugh to scorn;
And lust of fame was but a dream,
   That vanished with the morn:

And if I pray, the only prayer
   That moves my lips for me
Is, "Leave the heart that now I bear,
   And give me liberty!"

Yes, as my swift days near their goal:
   'Tis all that I implore;
In life and death a chainless soul,
   With courage to endure.

I like this poem a lot. It reminds me a lot of Emily Dickinson, both in message and in form. More optimistic, perhaps. The "courage to endure" particularly speaks to me. I'm not feeling very courageous at the moment. But this poem makes me think of Lizzy Bennet, sure and strong. It seems to me that it takes a lot more to be content to just be with yourself, without the trappings of everyday life. It might be lonely, though. But it might be worth it to feel so at home in your own skin.