In controversial foul impureness <br />The peace that is thy light to thee <br />Quench not: in faith and inner sureness <br />Possess thy soul and let it be. <br /> <br />No violence--perverse--persistent-- <br />What cannot be can bring to be; <br />No zeal what is make more existent, <br />And strife but blinds the eyes that see. <br /> <br />What though in blood their souls embruing, <br />The great, the good and wise they curse, <br />Still sinning, what they know not doing; <br />Stand still, forbear, nor make it worse. <br /> <br />By curses, by denunciation, <br />The coming fate they cannot stay; <br />Nor thou, by fiery indignation, <br />Though just, accelerate the day.<br /><br />Arthur Hugh Clough<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/noli-aemulari/
