Written in Emerson’s Essays + 

“O monstrous, dead, unprofitable world, + 

That thou canst hear, and hearing, hold thy way. + 

A voice oracular hath peal’d to-day, + 

To-day a hero’s banner is unfurl’d. + 

Hast thou no lip for welcome?” So I said. + 

Man after man, the world smil’d and pass’d by: + 

A smile of wistful incredulity + 

As though one spake of life unto the dead: + 

Scornful, and strange, and sorrowful; and full + 

Of bitter knowledge. Yet the Will is free: + 

Strong is the Soul, and wise, and beautiful: + 

The seeds of godlike power are in us still: + 

Gods are we, Bards, Saints, Heroes, if we will.⁠— + 

Dumb judges, answer, truth or mockery? + 