James Russell Lowell (1819–1891)

“FOR this true nobleness I seek in vain,

In woman and in man I find it not;

I almost weary of my earthly lot,

My life-springs are dried up with burning pain.”

Thou find’st it not? I pray thee look again,

Look inward through the depths of thine own soul.

How is it with thee? Art thou sound and whole?

Doth narrow search show thee no earthly stain?

Be noble! and the nobleness that lies

In other men, sleeping, but never dead,

Will rise in majesty to meet thine own;

Then wilt thou see it gleam in many eyes,

Then will pure light around thy path be shed,

And thou wilt nevermore be sad and lone.