Page:The Century Of Life.pdf/43

 ORNAMENTS

What is an ornament? Courtesy in high place, Speech temperate in the hero, innocence

In high philosophers, and wrathlcssness In hermits, and in riches noble expense.

Sincerity and honest meaning plain Save outward holiness, mercy the strong

Adorns and modesty most learned men; One grace to every station can belong.

Cause of all other gems, of all is blent Virtue, the universal ornament.

THE IMMUTABLE COURAGE

If men praise thee, O man, ’tis well; nor ill, If they condemn. Let fortune curst or boon

Enter thy doors or leave them as she will; Though death expect thee ere yon sinking moon

Vanish or wait till unborn stars give light, The firm high soul remains immutable Nor by one step will deviate from the right.

THE BALL

Lo, as a ball that, by the player’s palm Smit downward, falls but to again rebound, So the high virtuous man hurled to the ground

Bends not to fortune long his spirit calm.