 | Brother Fabian's Manuscript |  |
248
RELIGIO POETÆ.
Help thou, but be not holpen. If need be,Give men what ware thou hast worth gold, for gold;
And, so thy tale of ware be truly told,
Buy Freedom as thou wilt,—but be thou free!
Here close thy count with man. Save this to thee
Be there no reckoning made of bought and sold,
But live the life God gives thee, and withhold
Thy nobler hand from aught of earthly fee.
Stand four-square to the world for praise or blame:
Deserve, but touch no guerdon. Name and fame,
Titles and useless wealth leave thou to them
Who can be paid thereby. Such be not thou!
True work, true love can spare the laurelled brow:
The great are greatest with no diadem.
| Brother Fabian's Manuscript | |