MANY, if God should make them kings, Might not disgrace the throne He gave; How few who could as well fulfil The holier office of a slave! I hold him great who, for Love's sake, Can give, with generous, earnest will, -- Yet he who takes for Love's sweet sake, I think I hold more generous still. I prize the instinct that can turn From vain pretence with proud disdain; Yet more I prize a simple heart Paying credulity with pain. I bow before the noble mind That freely some great wrong forgives; Yet nobler is the one forgiven, Who bears that burden well, and lives. It may be hard to gain, and still To keep a lowly steadfast heart; Yet he who loses has to fill A harder and a truer part. Glorious it is to wear the crown Of a deserved and pure success; -- He who knows how to fail has won A Crown whose lustre is not less. Great may he be who can command And rule with just and tender sway; Yet is diviner wisdom taught Better by him who can obey. Blessed are those who die for God, And earn the Martyr's crown of light; Yet he who lives for God may be A greater Conqueror in His sight. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SURFACES AND MASKS; 12 by CLARENCE MAJOR SONNET: 21. TO CYRIACK SKINNER by JOHN MILTON TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP by GEORGE FREDERICK ROOT AUTUMN (1) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI TO WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER THE MOUNTAIN TOMB: 1. TO A CHILD DANCING IN THE WIND by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |