Written in a Lady's Album.
Mid warriors, statesmen, poets, and musicians,
Valhalla-names, all crowned with deathless fame,
This is no place for men of lowlier missions,
Of simple life and unhistoric name.
And yet not always are the lives of mortals
With chances of heroic act endowed;
Valhalla opens not its jealous portals
To every toiler in the passing crowd.
Our greatness lies in doing small things greatly,
And noble motive glorifies the least;
Therefore, O lady, mid the grand and stately
Scorn not the poor words of a rustic priest.
(1878.)
