Classic Poem

Pearls before swine: this is an old complaint;
In very humbleness, and not in pride,
The spirit feels it true; yet makes a feint
To rest with man's neglect well satisfied,
And have its wealth of words, its stores of thought
Despised or unregarded: wo betide
The heart that lives on praise! considering naught
Of Duty's royal edicts, that command
Thy talents to be lent, thy lamp to shine:
Soul, be not faint; nor, body, stay thy hand:
Heed only this—not whether those be swine;
But whether these be pearls, precious and pure;
That so, whatever fate the world make thine,
With God for Judge, thy guerdon be secure.