Play thou on men as on a hárp's stríng

Play thou on men as on a hárp’s stríng:
Though of themselves they lifeless are
In them thy spirit’s music shall ring.

Breathe thou in them as through a reed
Thy soul’s strong message, through them declare
To the dead world thy living need.

They are to thee as the senseless words
That embody thought’s full-felt commands;
Thy passive tools, obedient hands
To serve thy purpose, thy trusty swords:
They shall thy beauteous will express
Though they be graceless & purposeless.

Yea, live thou in men as their life’s will,
So long as life is, & good & ill.

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