THE DEATH OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN
If either fly with so displumèd wing
That chance and time and this imprisoned sense
Can maim or measure the spanned flight of it
By the ruled blanks of their experience,
Then only Fortune hath the scroll and writ
Of all good deeds our memory lives upon;
And the slack judgment of her barren wit
Appoints the award of all things that are done.
That chance and time and this imprisoned sense
Can maim or measure the spanned flight of it
By the ruled blanks of their experience,
Then only Fortune hath the scroll and writ
Of all good deeds our memory lives upon;
And the slack judgment of her barren wit
Appoints the award of all things that are done.
IV
The perfect choice and rarest of all good
Abides not in broad air or public sun;
Being spoken of, it is not understood;
Being shown, it has no beauty to be loved;
And the slow pulse of each man’s daily blood
For joy thereat is not more quickly moved;
Itself has knowledge of itself, and is
By its own witness measured and approved;
Yea, even well pleased to be otherwise;
Nor wear the raiment of a good repute
Nor have the record of large memories.
Close leaves combine above the covered fruit;
Earth, that gives much, holds back her costliest;
And in blind night sap comes into the root;
Things known are good but hidden things are best.
Therefore, albeit we know good deeds of these,
The perfect choice and rarest of all good
Abides not in broad air or public sun;
Being spoken of, it is not understood;
Being shown, it has no beauty to be loved;
And the slow pulse of each man’s daily blood
For joy thereat is not more quickly moved;
Itself has knowledge of itself, and is
By its own witness measured and approved;
Yea, even well pleased to be otherwise;
Nor wear the raiment of a good repute
Nor have the record of large memories.
Close leaves combine above the covered fruit;
Earth, that gives much, holds back her costliest;
And in blind night sap comes into the root;
Things known are good but hidden things are best.
Therefore, albeit we know good deeds of these,
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