Deep into many a heart it fell,
Like wind and sunshine, cold and hot,
Rang through them like a chiming bell,—
[With lowered voice.]
To-morrow, haply, all's forgot,
And furl'd the kindling banner bright
You just now lifted in our sight.
Brand.
Duty is not, where power is not.
[Sternly.]
If you cannot be what you ought,
Be in good earnest what you may;
Be heart and soul a man of clay.
The Man.
[After gazing on him a moment.]
Woe! you, who quench the lamp you lit;
And us, who had a glimpse of it!
[He goes; the others silently follow.
Brand.
[After long watching them.]
Homewards, one by one, with flagging
Spirits, heavily and slow,
Foreheads bowed, and weary lagging
Footsteps, silently they go.
Each with sorrow in his eyes,
Walks as from a lifted rod,
Walks like Adam spurn'd by God
From the gates of Paradise,—
Walks like him, with sin-veil'd sight,—
Sees, like him, the gathering night,
All his gain of knowledge shares,
All his loss of blindness bears.
