Humanity's bright image to impair. <br /> Scorn laid thee prostrate in the deepest dust; <br />Wit wages ceaseless war on all that's fair,-- <br /> In angel and in God it puts no trust; <br />The bosom's treasures it would make its prey,-- <br />Besieges fancy,--dims e'en faith's pure ray. <br /> <br />Yet issuing like thyself from humble line, <br /> Like thee a gentle shepherdess is she-- <br />Sweet poesy affords her rights divine, <br /> And to the stars eternal soars with thee. <br />Around thy brow a glory she hath thrown; <br />The heart 'twas formed thee,--ever thou'lt live on! <br /> <br />The world delights whate'er is bright to stain, <br /> And in the dust to lay the glorious low; <br />Yet fear not! noble bosoms still remain, <br /> That for the lofty, for the radiant glow <br />Let Momus serve to fill the booth with mirth; <br />A nobler mind loves forms of nobler worth.<br /><br />Friedrich Schiller<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-maid-of-orleans/
