Classic Poem

The deed that I would do
Involves no valor of the sword,
That in one moment mad of rue
Should earn for me some rich reward,
And cause posterity to rear,
Where an admiring world might see,
To pierce the upper heavens clear,
A bronze, or marble shaft to me;
But in some corner of some squalid way
Where misery shall lurk to fight,
And bring the sunshine of a joyous day
To dawn on souls oppressed by night;
To put unhappiness to flight,
And start
Some hopeless heart
Upon the road to hope; or where distress
Hath dwelt, by acts of tenderness,
And words of courage, helpfulness, and cheer,
Drive out some mortal's fear,
And set him on his way to light!