Sursum Corda
LIFT up your hearts, you whom the bright winds urge
To foot the red stains of the autumn sand,
To swim the green-lipped wave, and with swift hand
Scatter the white plumes of the leaping surge!
You know that from all weariness the purge
Is in the love of earth. You understand
How flesh becomes immortal when the white band
Of planets in the lonely air emerge.
To foot the red stains of the autumn sand,
To swim the green-lipped wave, and with swift hand
Scatter the white plumes of the leaping surge!
You know that from all weariness the purge
Is in the love of earth. You understand
How flesh becomes immortal when the white band
Of planets in the lonely air emerge.
Lift up your hearts before the swift life moulders.
You know that in the end all thoughts decay.
But when the mortal flame no longer smoulders,
You that have given the utmost spirit play
May fling your gauntlet down to all beholders.
Your hearts have been eternal for a day.
You know that in the end all thoughts decay.
But when the mortal flame no longer smoulders,
You that have given the utmost spirit play
May fling your gauntlet down to all beholders.
Your hearts have been eternal for a day.