I hold it the duty of one who is gifted <br /> And specially dowered I all men’s sight, <br />To know no rest till his life is lifted <br /> Fully up to his great gifts’ height. <br /> <br />He must mould the man into rare completeness, <br /> For gems are only in gold refined. <br />He must fashion his thoughts into perfect sweetness, <br /> And cast out folly and pride from his mind. <br /> <br />For he who drinks from a god’s gold fountain <br /> Of art of music or rhythmic song <br />Must sift from his soul the chaff of malice, <br /> And weed from his heart the roots of wrong. <br /> <br />Great gifts should be worn, like a crown befitting, <br /> And not like gems in a beggar’s hands! <br />And the toil must be constant and unremitting <br /> Which lifts up the king to the crown’s demands.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/noblesse-oblige/
