Page:Prometheus Bound, and other poems.djvu/113

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While yet I spake, a touch was laid

Upon my brow, whose pride did fade,

As thus, methought, an angel said:

"If I were thou who sing'st this song,

Most wise for others; and most strong

In seeing right, while doing wrong;

"I would not waste my cares, and choose,

As thou,—to seek what thou must lose,

Such gains as perish in the use.

"I would not work where none can win,

As thou,—half way 'twixt grief and sin,

But look above, and judge within.

"I would not let my pulse beat high,

As thou,—toward fame's regality,

Nor yet in love's great jeopardy.

"I would not champ the hard cold bit,

As thou,— of what the world thinks fit,—

But take God's freedom, using it.